Can Anaerobic Testing be Used to Accurately Predict VO2max: A Systematic Review

Introduction: VO2max is a key predictor of health as a determinant of cardiorespiratory fitness. Although the gold standard method for determining VO2max involves a maximal graded aerobic exercise test which can take upwards to 25 minutes, it is hypothesized that oxygen consumption increases rapidly during supramaximal effort and VO2max may be reached within 30 to 90 seconds of maximal exercise. The purpose of the study is to determine if a short duration anaerobic test can accurately predict VO2max garnered from a gold standard maximal graded exercise test. Methods: A systematic review was conducted with studies being incorporated if they were: original, peer-reviewed research; included both an aerobic intervention with a maximal graded exercise test and an anaerobic intervention; interventions using a metabolic cart; included healthy human subjects aged 16 – 40 years; and written in English. Quality of included studies was assessed using a Modified Downs and Black Checklist. Study aim, population, protocol and VO2max values were extracted and narratively synthesized. Results: Six low to moderate quality studies were included which all used a leg cycle ergometer in their intervention for both aerobic and anaerobic tests. The percentage of VO2max accounted for in the anaerobic tests ranged from 84.9 to 99% after 30 seconds of anaerobic maximal exercise suggesting VO2max may be achieved from an anaerobic test with a correction factor in mind. Conclusion: As only 2% of the total population of studies consisted of females, further evidence is warranted to determine if similar results would occur in a female population.