Can I Use Submaximal Data to Estimate VO2 Max for a Conditioned Athlete?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the validity of using submaximal data to estimate VO2 max for a collegiate athlete who did not reach the expected VO2 max during a maximal exercise test. Participants explore the implications of the athlete's performance, the testing protocol, and potential physiological factors affecting the results.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that the athlete's VO2 max result of 29.7 mL/kg/min seems low for a conditioned athlete and questions whether the data can be treated as submaximal.
  • Another participant suggests that if the peak value is significantly lower than expected, it could indicate an invalid test or an underlying issue affecting performance.
  • There is a discussion about the relationship between VO2 max and maximum heart rate, with one participant stating that reaching maximum heart rate typically indicates reaching VO2 max.
  • Concerns are raised about whether the athlete's smaller body size could contribute to the low VO2 max, with some participants suggesting that larger individuals generally have higher VO2 max values.
  • One participant mentions the importance of adhering to testing protocols and suggests that a medical evaluation may be warranted before retesting.
  • Another participant clarifies that the predicted target VO2 max values are based on average metrics and may not apply directly to the athlete in question.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty regarding the validity of the test results and whether the athlete's performance can be classified as submaximal. There is no consensus on the reasons for the low VO2 max, with multiple competing views on the implications of the data and the athlete's physiological characteristics.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the potential for missing assumptions about the athlete's health, the impact of body size on VO2 max, and the adherence to testing protocols. The discussion does not resolve these uncertainties.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in exercise physiology, sports science, and VO2 max testing methodologies may find this discussion relevant.

shanwilmo
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Homework Statement


Alright, so I am a graduating senior studying Exercise science and physiology. I just had what we call "Client Testing" and ran my client (who was a collegiate athlete for the last four years and this year was her first year not competing or training) in the Bruce protocol for a maximal exercise test. The test went well, but when I was able to finally look at the metabolic print out that my group-mate was working, she only had a VO2 max (according to the sheet) of 29.7 mL/kg/min.

I thought that was strange, it should be a lot higher as she was conditioned.

After Graphing the data and trying to find VT and RCP, it is evident that she did not reach VO2 max, though she did look as if she was doing total body exertion.

So, My question is, can I use my data as if she had run a submaximal test? She ended on the end of stage four and I know that protocol says to only use three stages, but since she is conditioned and an athlete, I was wondering how to go about getting a better estimate for VO2 max.

Homework Equations


Volleyball player
22 years of age
5'4" (163 cm) 59 kg

Vo2Max of 29.7 (as per testing data)
Max heart rate: 192
Resting heart rate: 66
resting BP: 110/67
Ending BP: 183/84

EKG normal findings



The Attempt at a Solution



So, My question is, can I use my data as if she had run a submaximal test? She ended on the end of stage four and I know that protocol says to only use three stages, but since she is conditioned and an athlete. IF i were to treat this as a submaximal test to make a better estimation and I would plot VO2 vs heart rate for each minute and continue the line, stopping at her max heart rate and assuming that that is the maximal VO2.

Would that still be a plausible explanation and use the first three stages?

Thanks so much for your help!
 
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shanwilmo said:
the end of stage four and I know that protocol says to only use three stages, but since she is conditioned and an athlete, I was wondering how to go about getting a better estimate for VO2 max.
So, My question is, can I use my data as if she had run a submaximal test? She ended on the end of stage four and I know that protocol says to only use three stages, but since she is conditioned and an athlete. IF i were to treat this as a submaximal test to make a better estimation and I would plot VO2 vs heart rate for each minute and continue the line, stopping at her max heart rate and assuming that that is the maximal VO2.

Would that still be a plausible explanation and use the first three stages?


There are many possible reasons for a submaximal test. In any case, you should follow the protocol. I assume you are using the plateau value, but if her peak value was substantially better, it is probably a better indication of her true VO2 max.

A simple estimate of what the target VO2 max should be, based on a resting heart rate for 20 seconds for a female aged 22 and a heart rate of 22/20 seconds, is 45 ml/kg/min (from a standard formula).

http://www.shapesense.com/fitness-exercise/calculators/vo2max-calculator.aspx

Since your result is so far below this, the test is either invalid or there is an organic problem which caused the subject to perform submaximally. Because you deviated from the protocol, that would be the first thing to look into IMO.
 
Last edited:
Thanks so much for your response!

29.7 was her peak value unfortunately. After plotting the data, she did not have any plateus which lead me to believe that she did not reach VO2 max to begin with

I completely agree with you. Thats when I figured that something was off when looking at the norms.

After further thinking and plotting the submaximal data, I calculated what her max heart rate would be (she reached 192) using the formula 206. 9 - (0.67*age) which turned out to be 192.16, meaning that she reached maximal heart rate.

I know that VO2 max and max heart rate are related. If you reach max heart rate, you reach VO2 max. Would this mean that there may be something organically or physiologically that went wrong?

Could her small body and weight have something to do with it as well? She is rather small, and I know larger people have much higher VO2 maxes due to the need for more o2.

lastly, I am sorry, I don't know what you are referring to when you say IMO.

Thanks so much for your help! I really appreciate it!
 
shanwilmo said:
Thanks so much for your response!

29.7 was her peak value unfortunately. After plotting the data, she did not have any plateus which lead me to believe that she did not reach VO2 max to begin with

I completely agree with you. Thats when I figured that something was off when looking at the norms.

After further thinking and plotting the submaximal data, I calculated what her max heart rate would be (she reached 192) using the formula 206. 9 - (0.67*age) which turned out to be 192.16, meaning that she reached maximal heart rate.

I know that VO2 max and max heart rate are related. If you reach max heart rate, you reach VO2 max. Would this mean that there may be something organically or physiologically that went wrong?

Could her small body and weight have something to do with it as well? She is rather small, and I know larger people have much higher VO2 maxes due to the need for more o2.

lastly, I am sorry, I don't know what you are referring to when you say IMO.

Thanks so much for your help! I really appreciate it!

IMO just means "In my opinion..." The predicted target VO2 max I used is based on the average wt of a female subject of that age in a European population as far as I know. If she's much smaller than average, that would affect the estimation. However I don't think it would be as much as observed. If you looked at the chart in the link, <35 ml/kg/min is "poor" for her category. I would suggest a medical evaluation after which she could be re-tested under the standard protocol if found healthy enough.

EDIT: There are more elaborate formulas for estimating VO2max using up to 7 variables which are available on Google.
 
Last edited:
Thank you so much for your help!

No, 45 is the US calculation too. According to the ACSM guidelines 35 is poor as well.
Her stature isn't actually that small according to real standards. In the volleyball world she is, so I think that is actually my person bias.
I will talk to my professor today before recommending medical evaluation but I believe that you are correct.

I really appreciate your help. Thank you once more
 
You're welcome.
 

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