Running velocity at maximum oxygen uptake and at maximum effort: important variables for female military pentathlon

Abstract Background The maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is considered the best measure of cardiorespiratory fitness. Aim To provide up-to-date reference values for the VO2max per kilogram of body mass (VO2max/kg) obtained by CPET in the Netherlands and Flanders. Methods The Lowlands Fitness Registry contains data from health checks among different professions and was used for this study. Data from 4612 apparently healthy subjects, 3671 males and 941 females, who performed maximum effort during cycle ergometry were analysed. Reference values for the VO2max/kg and corresponding centile curves were created according to the LMS method. Results Age had a negative significant effect (p < .001) and males had higher values of VO2max/kg with an overall difference of 18.0% compared to females. Formulas for reference values were developed: Males: VO2max/kg = − 0.0049 × age2 + 0.0884 × age + 48.263 (R2 = 0.9859; SEE = 1.4364) Females: VO2max/kg = − 0.0021 × age2 − 0.1407 × age + 43.066 (R2 = 0.9989; SEE = 0.5775). Cross-validation showed no relevant statistical mean difference between measured and predicted values for males and a small but significant mean difference for females. We found remarkable higher VO2max/kg values compared to previously published studies. Conclusions This is the first study to provide reference values for the VO2max/kg based on a Dutch/Flemish cohort. Our reference values can be used for a more accurate interpretation of the VO2max in the West-European population.

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Relationship between the Performance in a Maximum Effort Test for Lifeguards and the Time Spent in a Water Rescue

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18073407 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (7) ◽

pp. 3407

Author(s):

Sergio López-García ◽

Brais Ruibal-Lista ◽

José Palacios-Aguilar ◽

Miguel Santiago-Alonso ◽

José Antonio Prieto

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Oxygen Uptake ◽

Blood Lactate ◽

Predictor Variable ◽

Maximum Oxygen Uptake ◽

Incremental Test ◽

Maximum Effort ◽

Water Rescue ◽

The Relationship

The main objective of this study was to analyse the relationship between the performance in a maximum incremental test for lifeguards, the IPTL, and the effectiveness of a 200 m water rescue on the beach. Initially, 20 professional lifeguards carried out the IPTL in the pool and then they performed a 200 m water rescue on the beach. The maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) in the IPTL was estimated. In both tests, heart rate (HR), blood lactate (La) and time achieved were measured. The VO2max estimated in the IPTL (VO2IPTL) was 44.2 ± 4.7 mL·kg·min−1, the time reached in the IPTL (TimeIPTL) was 726 ± 72 s and the time spent in the rescue (TimeRescue) was 222 ± 14 s. The results showed that the time reached in the pool (TimeIPTL) was the best predictor variable of the performance in water rescue (TimeRescue) (R2 = 0.59; p < 0.01). A significant correlation was also observed between the estimated maximum oxygen uptake and the beach rescue performance (R2 = 0.37; p = 0.05). These results reveal that the IPTL, a maximum incremental test specific to lifeguards, allows the estimation of the effectiveness of a 200 m rescue on the beach.

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