Determination of Best Criteria to Determine Final and Initial Speeds within Ramp Exercise Testing Protocols
This study compared strategies to define final and initial speeds for designing ramp protocols.VO2max was directly assessed in 117 subjects (29±8 yrs) and estimated by three nonexercise models: (1) Veterans Specific Activity Questionnaire (VSAQ); (2) Rating of Perceived Capacity (RPC); (3) Questionnaire of Cardiorespiratory Fitness (CRF). Thirty seven subjects (30±9 yrs) performed three additional tests with initial speeds corresponding to 50% of estimatedVO2max and 50% and 60% of measuredVO2max . Significant differences(P<0.001)were found betweenVO2max measured (41.5±6.6 mL·kg−1·min−1) and estimated by VSAQ (36.6±6.6 mL·kg−1·min−1) and CRF (45.0±5.3 mL·kg−1·min−1), but not RPC (41.3±6.2 mL·kg−1·min−1). The CRF had the highest ICC, the lowest SEE, and better limits of agreement withVO2max compared to the other instruments. Initial speeds from 50%–60%VO2max estimated by CRF or measured produced similarVO2max (40.7±5.9;40.0±5.6;40.3±5.5 mL·kg−1·min−1resp.,P=0.14). The closest relationship to identity line was found in tests beginning at 50%VO2max estimated by CRF. In conclusion, CRF was the best option to estimateVO2max and therefore to define the final speed for ramp protocols. The measuredVO2max was independent of initial speeds, but speeds higher than 50%VO2max produced poorer submaximal relationships between workload andVO2.