A comparison of practical assessment methods to determine treadmill, cycle and elliptical ergometer VO2peak

• Published in: Journal of strength and conditioning research 2010-05, Vol.24 (5), p.1325-1331
• Main Authors: Mays, Ryan J., Boér, Nicholas F., Mealey, Lisa M., Kim, Kevin H., Goss, Fredric L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1064-8011; 1533-4287
• DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181c7c677

This investigation compared estimated and predicted peak oxygen consumption (VO 2peak ) and maximal heart rate (HR max ) among the treadmill, cycle ergometer and elliptical ergometer. Seventeen women (mean ± SE : 21.9 ± .3 yrs) exercised to exhaustion on all modalities. ACSM metabolic equations were used to estimate VO 2peak . Digital displays on the elliptical ergometer were used to estimate VO 2peak . Two individual linear regression methods were used to predict VO 2peak : 1) two steady state heart rate (HR) responses up to 85% of age-predicted HR max , and 2) multiple steady state/non-steady state HR responses up to 85% of age-predicted HR max . Estimated VO 2peak for the treadmill (46.3 ± 1.3 ml · kg −1 · min −1 ) and the elliptical ergometer (44.4 ± 1.0 ml · kg −1 · min −1 ) did not differ. The cycle ergometer estimated VO 2peak (36.5 ± 1.0 ml · kg −1 · min −1 ) was lower (p < .001) than the estimated VO 2peak values for the treadmill and elliptical ergometer. Elliptical ergometer VO 2peak predicted from steady state (51.4 ± .8 ml · kg −1 · min −1 ) and steady state/non-steady state (50.3 ± 2.0 ml · kg −1 · min −1 ) models were higher than estimated elliptical ergometer VO 2peak , p < .01. HR max and estimates of VO 2peak were similar between the treadmill and elliptical ergometer, thus cross-modal exercise prescriptions may be generated. The use of digital display estimates of submaximal oxygen uptake for the elliptical ergometer may not be an accurate method for predicting VO 2peak . Health-fitness professionals should use caution when utilizing submaximal elliptical ergometer digital display estimates to predict VO 2peak .