The validity and reliability of predicting maximal oxygen uptake from a treadmill-based sub-maximal perceptually regulated exercise test

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine for the first time whether VO2max could be predicted accurately and reliably from a treadmill-based perceptually regulated exercise test (PRET) incorporating a safer and more practical upper limit of RPE 15 ("Hard") than used in previous investigations. Eighteen volunteers (21.7 +/- 2.8 years) completed three treadmill PRETs (each separated by 48 h) and one maximal graded exercise test. Participants self-regulated their exercise at RPE levels 9, 11, 13 and 15 in a continuous and incremental fashion. Oxygen uptake VO2 was recorded continuously during each 3 min bout. VO2 values for the RPE range 9-15 were extrapolated to RPE(19) and RPE(20) using regression analysis to predict individual VO2max scores. The optimal limits of agreement (LoA) between actual (48.0 +/- 6.2 ml kg(-1) min(-1)) and predicted scores were -0.6 +/- 7.1 and -2.5 +/- 9.4 ml kg(-1) min(-1) for the RPE(20) and RPE(19) models, respectively. Reliability analysis for the VO2max predictions yielded LoAs of 1.6 +/- 8.5 (RPE(20)) and 2.7 +/- 9.4 (RPE(19)) ml kg(-1) min(-1) between trials 2 and 3. These findings demonstrate that (with practice) a novel treadmill-based PRET can yield predictions of VO2max that are acceptably reliable and valid amongst young, healthy, and active adults.

The validity of predicting peak oxygen uptake from a perceptually guided graded exercise test during arm exercise in paraplegic individuals

“…This is an important application for sedentary individuals and for clinical populations, 12,18 Abbreviations; RPEs, rating of perceived exertions; . VO 2 peak, maximal oxygen uptake.…”

“…7,8,11,12 The prediction of . VO 2 max from submaximal perceptually guided exercise bouts has been shown to be valid and facilitates a safer and more widely applicable means of exercise testing by eliminating higher exercise intensities (RPE 417) compared with the graded exercise test.…”

A new VO2maxprotocol allowing self-pacing in maximal incremental exercise

“…Although perceptually regulated, graded exercise has been used previously in the literature11–15 to estimate VO 2max through a submaximal protocol. These protocols have all used extrapolation equations to predict VO 2max based on the submaximal RPE–VO 2 relationship.…”

“…These continuous changes in PO during exercise have been shown to be important 16. As these tests do not directly exercise the subject to a maximum, a logical progression of this work would be to create an MIE version of the perceptually regulated exercise test outlined by previous authors 11–15. The protocol highlighted in this article, therefore, represents a novel test design for establishing directly measured VO 2max while allowing self-paced, maximal incremental exercise.…”

Perceptually Regulated Training at RPE13 Is Pleasant and Improves Physical Health

“…Furthermore, in production paradigm studies, research has demonstrated that, when regulating at an RPE 13 (somewhat hard), affective responses are positive in both active and inactive participants (31). An RPE 13 equates to intensities around 50%-70% VOzmax (18)(19)(20)30). Within the recent ACSM Position Stand (3), the use of RPE and affect for exercise prescription is acknowledged, but it is noted that "evidence is insufficient to support these methods as a primary'method of exercise prescription" (p. 1344).…”