VO2max prediction models demonstrated only moderate accuracy (highest R2=0.65) compared to direct cardiopulmonary exercise testing in healthy adult endurance athletes.
Observational (n=5,260)
Do currently available VO2max prediction models accurately estimate directly measured VO2max in healthy adult endurance athletes?
Current VO2max prediction models have only moderate accuracy in endurance athletes and should only be used as a supplemental method, highlighting the need for population-specific models.
p-value: p=>0.05
In recent years, numerous prognostic models have been developed to predict VO2max. Nevertheless, their accuracy in endurance athletes (EA) stays mostly unvalidated. This study aimed to compare predicted VO2max (pVO2max) with directly measured VO2max by assessing the transferability of the currently available prediction models based on their R2, calibration-in-the-large, and calibration slope. 5,260 healthy adult EA underwent a maximal exertion cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) (84.76% male; age 34.6±9.5 yrs.; VO2max 52.97±7.39 mL·min-1·kg-1, BMI 23.59±2.73 kg·m-2). 13 models have been selected to establish pVO2max. Participants were classified into four endurance subgroups (high-, recreational-, low- trained, and "transition") and four age subgroups (18-30, 31-45, 46-60, and ≥61 yrs.). Validation was performed according to TRIPOD guidelines. pVO2max was low-to-moderately associated with direct CPET measurements (p>0.05). Models with the highest accuracy were for males on a cycle ergometer (CE) (Kokkinos R2 = 0.64), females on CE (Kokkinos R2 = 0.65), males on a treadmill (TE) (Wasserman R2 = 0.26), females on TE (Wasserman R2 = 0.30). However, selected models underestimated pVO2max for younger and higher trained EA and overestimated for older and lower trained EA. All equations demonstrated merely moderate accuracy and should only be used as a supplemental method for physicians to estimate CRF in EA. It is necessary to derive new models on EA populations to include routinely in clinical practice and sports diagnostic.
Wiecha et al. (Wed,) conducted a observational in Healthy adult endurance athletes (n=5,260). VO2max prediction models vs. Directly measured VO2max via cardiopulmonary exercise test was evaluated on Accuracy of predicted VO2max compared to directly measured VO2max (p=>0.05). VO2max prediction models demonstrated only moderate accuracy (highest R2=0.65) compared to direct cardiopulmonary exercise testing in healthy adult endurance athletes.
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