Predicting Maximal Oxygen Uptake Using the 3-Minute All-Out Test in High-Intensity Functional Training Athletes

Joshua D Dexheimer; Shane J Brinson; Robert W Pettitt; E Todd Schroeder; Brandon J Sawyer; Edward Jo

doi:10.3390/sports8120155

Predicting Maximal Oxygen Uptake Using the 3-Minute All-Out Test in High-Intensity Functional Training Athletes

Sports (Basel). 2020 Nov 30;8(12):155. doi: 10.3390/sports8120155.

Authors

Joshua D Dexheimer¹, Shane J Brinson², Robert W Pettitt³, E Todd Schroeder⁴, Brandon J Sawyer², Edward Jo⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Kinesiology, Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, CA 91702, USA.
² Department of Kinesiology & Biology, Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego, CA 92106, USA.
³ Department of Health Science, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, Provo, UT 84606, USA.
⁴ Division of Biokinesiology & Physical Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
⁵ Human Performance Research Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion, California State University Pomona, Pomona, CA 91768, USA.

Abstract

Maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2max) and critical speed (CS) are key fatigue-related measurements that demonstrate a relationship to one another and are indicative of athletic endurance performance. This is especially true for those that participate in competitive fitness events. However, the accessibility to a metabolic analyzer to accurately measure VO_2max is expensive and time intensive, whereas CS may be measured in the field using a 3 min all-out test (3MT). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between VO_2max and CS in high-intensity functional training (HIFT) athletes. Twenty-five male and female (age: 27.6 ± 4.5 years; height: 174.5 ± 18.3 cm; weight: 77.4 ± 14.8 kg; body fat: 15.7 ± 6.5%) HIFT athletes performed a 3MT as well as a graded exercise test with 48 h between measurements. True VO_2max was determined using a square-wave supramaximal verification phase and CS was measured as the average speed of the last 30 s of the 3MT. A statistically significant and positive correlation was observed between relative VO_2max and CS values (r = 0.819, p < 0.001). Based on the significant correlation, a linear regression analysis was completed, including sex, in order to develop a VO_2max prediction equation (VO_2max (mL/kg/min) = 8.449(CS) + 4.387(F = 0, M = 1) + 14.683; standard error of the estimate = 3.34 mL/kg/min). Observed (47.71 ± 6.54 mL/kg/min) and predicted (47.71 ± 5.7 mL/kg/min) VO_2max values were compared using a dependent t-test and no significant difference was displayed between the observed and predicted values (p = 1.000). The typical error, coefficient of variation, and intraclass correlation coefficient were 2.26 mL/kg/min, 4.90%, and 0.864, respectively. The positive and significant relationship between VO_2max and CS suggests that the 3MT may be a practical alternative to predicting maximal oxygen uptake when time and access to a metabolic analyzer is limited.

Keywords: 3-minute all-out test; D’; VO2max; critical speed; high-intensity functional training.