Recumbent stepper submaximal exercise test to predict peak oxygen uptake.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the ability of the YMCA submaximal exercise test protocol using a total body recumbent stepper to predict V˙O(2peak). METHODS: Of 112 individuals initially screened, 110 individuals with low to moderate cardiovascular disease risk met the inclusion criteria for participation in the study. The maximal exercise test used a motorized treadmill and the Bruce or modified Bruce protocol. Oxygen uptake was measured and analyzed through collection of expired gases using a metabolic measurement system. The submaximal exercise test was performed at least 24 h later but no more than 5 d after maximal exercise testing. Participants were instructed to keep a pace of 100 steps per minute and the resistance increase every 3 min according to the protocol until fatigue, or until 85% of HR max was achieved. A cross-validation study was also performed to determine the accuracy of the prediction equation. RESULTS: Using a stepwise regression, we report that V˙O(2peak) can be predicted using a five-element model including age, weight, sex, wattsend_submax, and HRend_submax (F5,69 = 70.31, P < 0.001). We report a strong correlation between the predicted V˙O(2peak) to the actual V˙O(2peak). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest the YMCA submaximal exercise test can be used with the total body recumbent stepper to predict V˙O(2peak) in healthy adults.