PREDICTING MAXIMAL AEROBIC CAPACITY (VO2max) FROM THE CRITICAL VELOCITY TEST IN FEMALE COLLEGIATE ROWERS

Kendall, KL, Fukuda, DH, Smith, AE, Cramer, JT, and Stout, JR. Predicting maximal aerobic capacity ((V) over dotO(2)max) from the critical velocity test in female collegiate rowers. J Strength Cond Res 26(3): 733-738, 2012-The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between the critical velocity (CV) test and maximal oxygen consumption ((V) over dotO(2)max) and develop a regression equation to predict ((V) over dotO(2)max) based on the CV test in female collegiate rowers. Thirty-five female (mean +/- SD; age, 19.38 +/- 1.3 years; height, 170.27 +/- 6.07 cm; body mass, 69.58 +/- 0.3 1 kg) collegiate rowers performed 2 incremental VO(2)max tests to volitional exhaustion on a Concept II Model D rowing ergometer to determine ((V) over dotO(2)max). After a 72-hour rest period, each rower completed 4 time trials at varying distances for the determination of CV and anaerobic rowing capacity (ARC). A positive correlation was observed between CV and absolute ((V) over dotO(2)max) (r = 0.775, p < 0.001) and ARC and absolute ((V) over dotO(2)max) (r = 0.414, p = 0.040). Based on the significant correlation analysis, a linear regression equation was developed to predict the absolute ((V) over dotO(2)max) from CV and ARC (absolute ((V) over dotO(2)max) = 1.579[CV] + 0.008[ARC] - 3.838; standard error of the estimate [SEE] = 0.192 L.min(-1)). Cross validation analyses were performed using an independent sample of 10 rowers. There was no significant difference between the mean predicted ((V) over dotO(2)max) (3.02 L.min(-1)) and the observed ((V) over dotO(2)max)(3.10 L.min(-1). The constant error, SEE and validity coefficient (r) were 0.076 L.min(-1), 0.144 L.min(-1), and 0.72, respectively. The total error value was 0.155 L.min(-1). The positive relationship between CV, ARC, and ((V) over dotO(2)max) suggests that the CV test may be a practical alternative to measuring the maximal oxygen uptake in the absence of a metabolic cart. Additional studies are needed to validate the regression equation using a larger sample size and different populations (junior- and senior-level female rowers) and to determine the accuracy of the equation in tracking changes after a training intervention.