Validity and reliability of two submaximal tests for estimating maximal oxygen consumption in adults

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v69.108833

Keywords:

Physical fitness, Exercise test, Oxygen consumption, Adult

Abstract

Objective: Verify the reliability and validity of two submaximal tests – walking-running test (WRT) and self-selected intensity test (SSIT) – to predict V̇O2MAX in healthy adults.

Methodology: A total of 20 adults of both sexes were evaluated in three visits. The WRT was initially performed at a speed of 5 km‧h-1 and 4% grade. The grade was increased by 2% until 12%. The speed was increased to 9 km‧h-1 and the grade reduced to 1% if subjects did not reach 65% of the heart rate reserve (HRRES). Once HRRES was attained, the effort was maintained for 6 minutes. The SSIT consisted in 4 minutes of free intensity selection (speed and/or grade) and 6 minutes for HR monitoring. The Student’s t-test, ICC and typical error were used to test reliability. ANOVA and a graphical Bland-Altman analysis were used for validity. Only speed was different in WRT between test-retest.

Results: The main results achieved in the research should be commented on.

Discussion: Differences were found between the measured V̇O2MAX (49.5 ± 7.9 mL·kg-1·min-1) and predicted V̇O2MAX in WRT (43.2 ± 7.6 mL·kg-1·min-1) and SSIT (40.6 ± 9.8 mL·kg-1·min-1).

Conclusions: The two tests proved to be reproducible, especially for the WRT; however, both may present an underestimation of V̇O2MAX.

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Published

2025-06-20

How to Cite

Damasceno, V., Barbosa Lima, T., Meireles Santos, T., dos Santos Gomes, W., & Zapaterra Campos, E. (2025). Validity and reliability of two submaximal tests for estimating maximal oxygen consumption in adults. Retos, 69, 1330–1338. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v69.108833

Issue

Vol. 69 (2025)

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Original Research Article

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Copyright (c) 2025 Vinicius Damasceno, Thiago Barbosa Lima, Tony Meireles Santos, Willemax dos Santos Gomes, Eduardo Zapaterra Campos

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