Abstract

The predictability of the maximal oxygen uptake (V02 max) was studied using progressive and steady state protocols for cycle ergometry and bench stepping. The subjects were 12 healthy men, 23-58 years. Prediction of V02 max was made by extrapolation of the heart rate and 02 uptake at several submaximal workloads using the least squares regression technique. The four submaximal procedures underestimated the measured V02 max by between 0.13-0.55 l/min. The differences between the measured and predicted values were statistically significant for the tests involving the steady state protocol. The correlation coefficients between the predicted V02 max for each of the submaximal tests, and the measured V02 max, were significant at the .05 level. The results indicate that for a group of male subjects V02 max can be predicted using the progressive protocol on either the cycle ergometer or stepping bench. Individual predictions are liable to considerable error. Verf.-Referat