Verification Testing to Confirm VO2max Attainment in Inactive Women with Obesity.

Incidence of obesity is increasing worldwide which is deleterious to health due to its association with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and some cancers. Completion of regular physical activity in individuals with obesity increases maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2 max). However, whether individuals with obesity can exhibit ‘true’ VO 2 max is unresolved. This study examined efficacy of verification testing (VER) to identify ‘true’ VO 2 max in 17 inactive women with obesity (age, body fat, and VO 2 max = 37 ± 10 yr, 48.7 ± 3.5 %, and 19.4 ± 3.0 mL/kg/min, respectively). They performed ramp exercise (RAMP) to volitional fatigue followed by VER at 105 percent peak power output (%PPO) at baseline and after 3 and 6 wk of high intensity interval training. Results showed no difference in ramp and verification-derived VO 2 max (1.99 ± 0.37 L/min vs. 1.98 ± 0.32 L/min, 2.00 ± 0.40 L/min vs. 2.04 ± 0.38 L/min, and 2.08 ± 0.34 L/min vs. 2.08 ± 0.32 L/min at 0, 3 and 6 wk of training), although in 40 % of VER tests, VO 2 max was greater than the RAMP value. Overall, verification testing may be adopted as an additional approach to confirm ‘true’ VO 2 max attainment in obese women as ramp exercise frequently underestimates VO 2 max in this population.