ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Laboratory assessment of maximal oxygen uptake (VËO2max) is physically and mentally draining for the athlete and requires expensive laboratory equipment. Indirect measurement of VËO2max could provide a practical alternative to laboratory testing. PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between the maximal power output (MPO) in an individualized 7 × 2-minute incremental test (INCR-test) and VËO2max and to develop a regression equation to predict VËO2max from MPO in female rowers. METHODS: Twenty female club and Olympic rowers (development group) performed the INCR-test on a Concept2 rowing ergometer to determine VËO2max and MPO. A linear regression analysis was used to develop a prediction of VËO2max from MPO. Cross-validation analysis of the prediction equation was performed using an independent sample of 10 female rowers (validation group). RESULTS: A high correlation coefficient (r = .94) was found between MPO and VËO2max. The following prediction equation was developed: VËO2max (mL·min-1) = 9.58 × MPO (W) + 958. No difference was found between the mean predicted VËO2max in the INCR-test (3480 mL·min-1) and the measured VËO2max (3530 mL·min-1). The standard error of estimate was 162 mL·min-1, and the percentage standard error of estimate was 4.6%. The prediction model only including MPO, determined during the INCR-test, explained 89% of the variability in VËO2max. CONCLUSION: The INCR-test is a practical and accessible alternative to laboratory testing of VËO2max.
