Commentaries on Viewpoint: V̇o_2peak is an acceptable estimate of cardiorespiratory fitness but not V̇o_2max

Abstract

TO THE EDITOR: We can define V ˙O2max as the highest oxygen delivered and utilized during exercise, and, if we increase the exercise intensity, the oxygen uptake will not increase. This assumption came from an original study of Hill and Lupton (2); they applied on different days higher intensities during a constant-work exercise. The authors observed that, above certain intensity, the O 2 uptake does not increase. Because of the nature of the constant-work exercise, they observed a plateau phenomenon. Since then, plateau phenomenon has been the main "true" V ˙O2max attainment criterion. If the plateau is not present, we consider it as V ˙O2peak . However, the plateau is neither evident for ramp nor step protocol (5). The plateau appearance is dependent on data manipulation (4), subjects' fitness, motivation, perceived exertion, and so on (3). Therefore, the plateau does not appear to be a natural physiological response in the face of the incremental exercise testing, and a plateau phenomenon is a wrong interpretation of Hill and Lupton study. As the maximum intensity achieved during incremental testing is dependent on, a priori, motivation (3), we must do the V ˙O2max confirmation, independently of the plateau appearance, satisfying the main criterion "The O 2 uptake does not increase irrespective of intensity increment." In my view, the V ˙O2peak is not a valid physiological index, and the terminology used in the Green and Askew (1) Viewpoint must be withdrawn from the scientific literature. The confirmation test is the best choice for cardiorespiratory assessments.

Estimation of maximal oxygen uptake using the heart rate ratio method in male recreational football players

“…This may be regarded as this study's main limitation in light of the arguments reported on maximal aerobic scopus of humans and the methods that should be used to achieve it (Poole and Jones 2017;Green and Askew 2018). Even if consideration for a confirmation VO 2max test is methodologically sound, the practical effectiveness of this consistency measurement procedure has been challenged when dealing with untrained populations (Azevedo et al 2018). Although an impeccable procedure, the VO 2max confirmation test (i.e.…”

“…Although an impeccable procedure, the VO 2max confirmation test (i.e. cardiorespiratory re-testing) was reported to not provide the expected measurement accuracy, calling into question the cost/benefit of this practice in untrained individuals (Azevedo et al 2018).…”

Articles with impact: insights into 10 years of research with machine learning

“…Other high-impact articles presented translational research from V ˙O2max to muscle fiber oxidative capacity (98), or mentioned V ˙O2max in centenarians (9) or in response to spaceflight (1,70), heat (61), altitude (22), physical activity (8), training (43,93) and bed rest (80). Most publications mentioned V ˙O2max to refer to the highest oxygen uptake or cardiorespiratory fitness; however, it has been recently debated whether V ˙O2peak would not be more appropriate (4,38,39,77,110). Note that for downloads, it is difficult to compare absolute numbers with other journals (among others because download access for the Journal of Applied Physiology is restricted within the first year after publication).…”

Youth Aerobic Fitness

“…They recommend that use of a verification test should replace secondary criteria (ie, predicted values of heart rate, respiratory exchange ratio, or blood lactate accumulation) in confirming maximal values ofVO 2 . Interestingly, a proposal to adopt verification tests with adults (39) has recently stimulated a lively discussion elsewhere (11,20,40).…”