Using a Verification Test for Determination of v o 2 max in Sedentary Adults with Obesity

A constant-load exercise bout to exhaustion after a graded exercise test to verify maximal oxygen uptake (Vo₂ max) during cycle ergometry has not been evaluated in sedentary adults with obesity. Nineteen sedentary men (n 10) and women (n 9) with obesity (age 35.8 ± 8.6 years; body mass index [BMI] 35.9 ± 5.1 kg·m -2; body fat percentage 44.9 ± 7.2) performed a ramp-style maximal exercise test (ramp), followed by 5-10 minutes of active recovery, and then performed a constant-load exercise bout to exhaustion (verification test) on a cycle ergometer for determination of Vo₂ max and maximal heart rate (HRmax). Vo₂ max did not differ between tests (ramp: 2.29 ± 0.71 L·min^-1, verification: 2.34 ± 0.67 L·min^-1; p 0.38). Maximal heart rate was higher on the verification test (177 ± 13 b·min^-1 vs. 174 ± 16 b·min^-1; p 0.03). Thirteen subjects achieved a Vo₂ max during the verification test that was ≥2% (range: 2.0-21.0%; 0.04-0.47 L·min^-1) higher than during the ramp test, and 8 subjects achieved a HRmax during the verification test that was 4-14 b·min^-1 higher than during the ramp test. Duration of verification or ramp tests did not affect Vo₂ max results, but the difference in HRmax between the tests was inversely correlated with ramp test duration (r -0.57, p 0.01). For both Vo₂ max and HRmax, differences between ramp and verification tests were not correlated with BMI or body fat percentage. A verification test may be useful for identifying the highest Vo₂ max and HRmax during cycle ergometry in sedentary adults with obesity.