Abstract:
Supramaximal testing is widely used to verify VO 2 max attainment, yet its effi cacy in sedentary subjects is unknown. The aim of the study was to test this hypothesis in men and women completing maximal cycle ergometry. Fifteen sedentary subjects (age = 22.4 ± 3.9 year) completed incremental exercise, and returned at least 24 h later to complete constant load exercise at 105 % peak work rate (Wmax). Another group of nine sedentary men and women (age = 21.8 ± 5 year) completed supramaximal exercise at 115 % Wmax 1 – 1.5 h after incremental exercise. During exercise, gas exchange data and heart rate (HR) were continuously obtained. VO 2 max was similar (p > 0.05) between incremental and supramaximal exercise in subjects in the fi rst (32.32 ± 4.81 mL / kg / min vs. 31.80 ± 5.35 mL / kg / min) and second subset (40.63 ± 3.61 mL / kg / min vs. 41.66 ± 5.55 mL / kg / min). Maximal HR was lower (p < 0.05) with supramaximal exercise, yet respiratory exchange ratio was higher (p < 0.05). Test-retest reliability (r = 0.81 – 0.89, p < 0.05) for VO 2 max was high during repeated bouts of supramaximal testing. Findings support use of this protocol to confi rm VO 2 max attainment in healthy, sedentary men and women completing incremental cycle ergometry.