Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a single-stage submaximal treadmill jogging test for the estimation of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). VO2max was measured in 129 relatively fit individuals (males = 84, females = 45), 18-29 yr, using a maximal treadmill protocol (mean +/- SD; VO2max = 48.3 +/- 6.2 ml/kg/min, range = 35.6 to 62.3 ml/kg/min). The treadmill test required subjects to sustain a comfortable, submaximal jogging pace (4.3-7.5 mph; level grade) until a steady-state heart rate was achieved (approximately 3 min). To help ensure that a submaximal level of exertion was realized for the treadmill jogging test, treadmill speed and exercise HR criteria were established that restricted treadmill speed to </- 7.5 mph for males and </- 6.5 mph for females and steady-state exercise HR to </- 180 bpm. Multiple regression analysis (N=66) to estimate VO2max from the treadmill jogging test yielded the following validation (V) model (r adj = 0.84, SEE = 3.2 ml/kg/min): VO2max = 54.07+7.062 * GENDER (0=female; 1=male) - 0.1938 * WEIGHT (kg) + 4.47 * SPEED (miles/h) - 0.1453 * HEART RATE (bpm). Cross-validation (CV) of the treadmill jogging test comparing observed and estimated VO2max (N=63) resulted in r adj = 0.88, SEE = 3.1 ml/kg/min. The results indicate that this submaximal single-stage treadmill jogging test based on multiple linear regression provides a valid and convenient method for estimating VO2max. Verf.-Referat