A new valid and reliable windtrainer VO2max protocol.
OBJECTIVE
Maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2max)) cycling protocols usually require expensive laboratory ergometers where the athlete is unaccustomed to the cycling position. Recently, we developed a VO(2max) speed-ramped protocol with an indoor cycling simulator (Cateye Windtrainer WT) allowing cyclists to use their own bicycles during the VO(2max) test. The aim of this study was to test the validity of the WT protocol by comparing it with a traditional (TD) resistance-ramped protocol using an electronically braked ergometer. In addition, the retest reliability of the WT protocol was also determined.


METHODS
Twenty experienced cyclists randomly completed 6 VO(2max) protocols consisting of one familiarization trial and two tests on the WT and TD protocols.


RESULTS
There were minimal differences in maximal oxygen uptake values between protocols (WT 64.1+/-7.1, TD 63.3+/-7.4 mL/kg/min). The variability in the difference of the means between the two protocols was 0.8 mL/kg/min (95% confidence interval CI: -0.26-2.02), the coefficient of variation (CV) was 2.8% (95%CI: 2.2-4.2%) and the interclass correlation was r=0.94 (P<0.01; 95%CI: 0.86-0.98). The intratest difference within the WT protocol was 1.5% (95%CI: -1.9-5%), CV=5.3% (95%CI: 4.1-8%) and the retest correlation was r=0.81 (P<0.01; 95%CI: 0.57-0.92).


CONCLUSIONS
The WT speed-ramped protocol is a valid and reliable method to assess VO(2max).
Dalziel
W M
WM
School of Human Movement Studies, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia.
Hannan
S M
SM
Watts
M C
MC
Coombes
J S
JS
D000328:Adult; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D016552:Ergometry; D005080:Exercise Test; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010809:Physical Fitness; D015203:Reproducibility of Results