A decremental exercise test yielded a 4.4% higher maximum oxygen consumption compared to a conventional incremental test (63.9 vs 61.2 ml/kg/min; p=0.004).
RCT (n=26)
Matched by initial VO2 max
Does a decremental exercise test protocol produce higher maximum oxygen consumption values compared to conventional incremental testing in human subjects?
Conventional incremental exercise testing may produce submaximal VO2 max values, challenging the concept that a plateau in oxygen consumption represents a systemic limitation to oxygen use.
Effect estimate: 4.4% higher
Absolute Event Rate: 63.9% vs 61.2%
p-value: p=0.004
BACKGROUND: This study used a novel protocol to test the hypothesis that a plateau in oxygen consumption (VO(2 max)) during incremental exercise testing to exhaustion represents the maximal capacity of the cardiovascular system to transport oxygen. METHODS: Twenty-six subjects were randomly divided into two groups matched by their initial VO(2 max). On separate days, the reverse group performed (i) an incremental uphill running test on a treadmill (INC(1)) plus verification test (VER) at a constant workload 1 km h(-1) higher than the last completed stage in INC(1); (ii) a decremental test (DEC) in which speed started as same as the VER but was reduced progressively and (iii) a final incremental test (INC(F)). The control group performed only INC on the same days that the reverse group was tested. RESULTS: VO(2 max) remained within 0.6 ml kg(-1) min(-1) across the three trials for the control group (p=0.93) but was 4.4% higher during DEC compared with INC(1) (63.9 ± 3.8 vs 61.2 ± 4.8 ml kg(-1) min(-1), respectively, p=0.004) in the reverse group, even though speed at VO(2 max) was lower (14.3 ± 1.1 vs 16.2 ± 0.7 km h(-1) for DEC and INC(1), respectively, p=0.0001). VO(2 max) remained significantly higher during INC(F) (63.6 ± 3.68 ml kg(-1) min(-1), p=0.01), despite an unchanged exercise time between INC(1) and INC(F). CONCLUSION: These findings go against the concept that a plateau in oxygen consumption measured during the classically described INC and VER represents a systemic limitation to oxygen use. The reasons for a higher VO(2) during INC(F) following the DEC test are unclear.
Beltrami et al. (Mon,) conducted a rct in Maximum oxygen consumption testing (n=26). Reverse exercise protocol (decremental test and final incremental test) vs. Conventional incremental exercise test was evaluated on Maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) (4.4% higher, p=0.004). A decremental exercise test yielded a 4.4% higher maximum oxygen consumption compared to a conventional incremental test (63.9 vs 61.2 ml/kg/min; p=0.004).