Validation of a new method for estimating VO2max based on VO2 reserve.

Purpose: The American College of Sports Medicine's (ACSM) preferred method for estimating maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) has been shown to overestimate VO2max, possibly due to the short length of the cycle ergometry stages. This study validates a new method that uses a final 6-min stage and that estimates VO2max from the relationship between heart rate reserve (HRR) and VO2 reserve.

Methods: A cycle ergometry protocol was designed to elicit 65-75% HRR in the fifth and sixth minutes of the final stage.