The influence of submaximal blood lactate measures on VOb2smax estimates using a submaximal branching protocol

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine if measurements of submaximal blood lactate may improve the prediction of VO2max from submaximal exercise tests. Subjects (39 men & 21 women, age 20-44 yrs) completed a branching protocol on a cycle ergometer which consisted of 3 submaximal stages of 4 minutes each followed by a maximal effort. During the last minute of each stage heart rate (HR) was recorded from telemetry and a capillary blood sample was obtained from a finger puncture. Maximal power output was estimated from the extrapolation of the 3 submaximal HRs to age predicted HRmax and blood lactate concentration was measured using a Yellow Springs analyzer (Yellow Springs, OH). Data were analyzed using multiple regression procedures. Estimated maximal power output (238 ± 56 W) was significantly related to measured VOzmaX (p < 0.001, r2= .523). Mean values for ACSM estimated, ACSM-revised and measured VOz.X were not significantly different (3.170 vs. 3.140 vs. 3.260 L/min respectively), however the SEE % for the ACSM and ACSM revised estimated VOz,. were 13.4% and 12.1%, respectively. When the change in power output relative to the change in blood lactate concentrations (po/BL) from stage 1 to stage 2 and the estimated maximal power output from 3 submaximal heart rates were added as independent variables to the regression model with measured VO2,t as the dependent variable, po/BL was significantly correlated with VO X , accounting for 7.6% of the variance in VOz... In conclusion, only the relative change in power output to the relative change in blood lactate measure from stage 1 to _2 were significant in improving the estimation of VO2 during submaximal exercise tests using a branching protocol. Other blood lactate measures did not improve the estimation of VOA,. in this study.