Measuring and monitoring VO2max with an innovative, noninvasive and time efficient device before, during and after a 5 month sports program

Background/Introduction In recent years, the scientific importance of measuring, estimating, and monitoring cardiorespiratory fitness has increased due to new methods and applications of noninvasive measurement techniques like seismocardiography (SCG). In our study, we have used a noninvasive seismographic device (figure 1) to measure and monitor the change in VO2max achieved by a sports program in healthy volunteers as a measure of cardiovascular fitness. Purpose The aim of the study was to show that the usage of a noninvasive seismographic device allows for an intuitive and quick way of determining the personal individual fitness level by VO2max measurement. Furthermore, the study aimed at showing that improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness due to training programs can be measured by the noninvasive and intuitive seismographic device. Methods The device measures vibrations that arise from heart beats and are transmitted to the chest. The sensor communicates with an accompanying app via Bluetooth® (subject height, weight, age and gender are entered). The recording of the signal takes about 45 seconds. The signal is transferred to secure servers and being analyzed. The estimated VO2max is being calculated. The tool’s validity and reliability have been proven in previous trials. We recruited a total of n = 30 healthy German volunteers between 46 and 65 years of age (ø 57.4 ± 5.3 years, 43.33% female) who voluntarily participated in a 5-month training program with the goal of running a half-marathon at the end of the program. VO2max (ø 30.56 mlO2/min/kg ± 6.75) was measured at each visit with the device to allow for comparisons over time. As control variables, weight (ø 79.9 kg ± 18.34), BMI (ø 26.8 kg/m² ± 4.37) and resting heart rate (ø 67.17 bpm ± 10.57) were also recorded at baseline and at each of the 9 training visits. Results All 30 participants completed the training program, and n = 25 (83.33%) finished the half-marathon. At the final measurement after 5 months of training initiation VO2max measured by the device increased by 2.59 mlO2/min/kg (± 4.89, p = 0.007) as compared to baseline. The participants also reported improvements in weight (- 2.82 kg ± 3.21, p < 0.001), BMI (- 1.07 kg/m² ± 1.13, p < 0.001) and resting heart rate (- 4.28 bpm ± 10.59, p = 0.035). Measurements of VO2max with the intuitive seismographic device were rated as uncomplicated and easy by all participants. Conclusion(s) The device (figure 2) proved to be an intuitive and time efficient method of noninvasive VO2max measurement. The results confirmed that VO2max is an indicator of cardiovascular fitness as participants showed improvements not only in VO2max, but also weight, BMI and resting heartrate. We promote the use of the intuitive seismographic device to measure and monitor VO2max as an indicator of cardiovascular fitness. seismographic device and necessary input. results displayed on the mobile phone.