Influence of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing Protocol and Resting VO₂Assessment on %HR_max, %HRR, %VO_2maxand %VO₂R Relationships

Abstract

The findings of previous studies that investigated the strength of the relationships between the percentages of maximal heart rate (%HRmax), heart rate reserve (%HRR), maximal oxygen uptake (%VO2max), and oxygen uptake reserve (%VO2R) have been equivocal. This inconsistency between studies could largely be due to differences in methodology. The purpose of this study was therefore to determine whether different VO2max test protocols and resting VO2 assessment influence the relationships between the %HRmax, %HRR, %VO2max, and %VO2R. Thirty-three young men performed maximal treadmill protocols [ramp, Bruce] to assess HRmax and VO2max. Resting VO2 was assessed as follows: a) resting VO2standard, using strict criteria [24h exercise abstention, alcohol, soft drinks, or caffeine; 8h fasting; 30min assessment]; b) resting VO2sitting and; c) resting VO2standing[both 5min before exercise testing]. The %HRR was closer to %VO2max than to %VO2R, especially in the ramp protocol (p<.05). In the Bruce protocol relationships were closer to the identity line, and there was no significant difference between %HRR and %VO2max or %VO2R. The VO2max was significantly higher in the ramp protocol compared to the Bruce protocol (p<.001). In both protocols resting VO2 assessment produced no significant differences in intercepts and slopes of %HRR-%VO2R relationships obtained from individual regression models.The %VO2R calculated using resting VO2standard was closer to %HRR compared to VO2sitting and VO2standing. The premise that %HRR is more strongly related to %VO2R than to %VO2max was not confirmed. The %VO2max should be used to prescribe aerobic exercise intensity since its association with %HRR was stronger than the %VO2R-%HRR relationship.Key words: aerobic training, physical fitness, health, linear regression, Bruce protocol, ramp protocol. 3 IntroductionExercise that is performed at an inadequately low relative intensity results in a level of physiological strain that is insufficient to stimulate favorable adaptation and enhanced fitness [27]. In the early stages of a training program, for example, previously sedentary individuals have been shown to enhance cardiorespiratory fitness by training at exercise intensities as low as 40% VO2max [5]. However, the minimal intensity that enhances cardiorespiratory fitness is positively related to the cardiorespiratory fitness of the individual [39]. The importance of exercise intensity in relation to enhancing cardiorespiratory fitness has been eloquently summarized in a review of the literature that concluded that exercise intensity, rather than training volume and frequency, was the most important factor in enhancing cardiorespiratory fitness [45]. However, relative high exercise intensities have been found to significantly reduce adherence to physical training programs [20].Accurate exercise intensity prescription is therefore important to ensure that exercise is effective in improving fitness whilst simultaneously promoting adherence to training programs. These two issues are fu...

Heart rate as an indicator for exercise prescription for normal, overweight, and obese adolescents

“…Consequently, whether these results are to be used for exercise prescription, we would be underestimating the intensity of the effort, which is not in accordance with the ACSM recommendations (ACSM, 2013). However, these results differ when equations are used to predict HRmax (Cunha et al, 2010) as previously demonstrated by Caputo, Cozzensa da Silva and Rombaldi (2012), in which the authors recommend avoiding the equations because they restrict the HRmax. So far, there is no appropriate formula for this estimation.…”

“…For adults, the cardiorespiratory exercise recommendation is already defined (Cunha et al, 2010;Garber et al, 2011). To our knowledge there is no data for adolescents.…”

“…This was demonstrated by Swain and Leutholtz (1997), who observed that HRres was equivalent to VO 2 res. In fact, the relationship between VO 2 and HR during rest and exercise is well documented for adults (Cunha, Midgley, Monteiro, & Farinatti, 2010;Swain & Franklin, 2002;Swain & Leutholtz, 1997;Swain, Leutholtz, King, Haas, & Branch, 1998), and extensively used for exercise prescription (ACSM, 2013). Nonetheless, there is limited research and evidence regarding the relationship between VO 2 and HR in children and adolescents (Ekelund et al, 2001;Hui & Chan, 2006).…”

A Comparison of the Degree of Perceived Exertion by Participants In Nordic Walking and Level Walking at Equal Levels of Relative Exercise Intensity

“…VO 2 in both conditions converting it into a percentage of VO 2 to be correlated between a percentage of VO 2 and a heart rate reserve (%HRR). 10 In addition, using a patient monitor (BSM-2401, Nihon Kohden, Tokyo, Japan), we recorded the ECG consecutively and counted an interval every one beat (R splinter-R splinter) for 30 seconds by calculating the value every minute so as to find the heart rate (HR) per minute. HR was calculated as the mean during the two minutes before the end of the measurement and was converted into %HRR.…”

“…HR was calculated as the mean during the two minutes before the end of the measurement and was converted into %HRR. 10 We measured the perceived exertion using the OMNI scale (eleven levels). 11 We recorded it on the incremental exhaustion tests only with regard to the whole body; for both conditions of the experiment, perceived exertion was recorded for the whole body, upper limbs, and lower limbs.…”