The dangers of estimating V˙O2max using linear, nonexercise prediction models
Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to compare the accuracy and goodness of fit of two competing models (linear vs allometric) when estimating V˙O2max (mL·kg−1·min−1) using nonexercise prediction models. Methods The two competing models were fitted to the V˙O2max (mL·kg−1·min−1) data taken from two previously published studies. Study 1 (the Allied Dunbar National Fitness Survey) recruited 1732 randomly selected healthy participants, 16 yr and older, from 30 English parliamentary constituencies. Estimates of V˙O2max were obtained using a progressive incremental test on a motorized treadmill. In study 2, maximal oxygen uptake was measured directly during a fatigue limited treadmill test in older men (n = 152) and women (n = 146) 55 to 86 yr old. Results In both studies, the quality of fit associated with estimating V˙O2max (mL·kg−1·min−1) was superior using allometric rather than linear (additive) models based on all criteria (R2, maximum log-likelihood, and Akaike information criteria). Results suggest that linear models will systematically overestimate V˙O2max for participants in their 20s and underestimate V˙O2max for participants in their 60s and older. The residuals saved from the linear models were neither normally distributed nor independent of the predicted values nor age. This will probably explain the absence of a key quadratic age2 term in the linear models, crucially identified using allometric models. Not only does the curvilinear age decline within an exponential function follow a more realistic age decline (the right-hand side of a bell-shaped curve), but the allometric models identified either a stature-to-body mass ratio (study 1) or a fat-free mass-to-body mass ratio (study 2), both associated with leanness when estimating V˙O2max. Conclusions Adopting allometric models will provide more accurate predictions of V˙O2max (mL·kg−1·min−1) using plausible, biologically sound, and interpretable models.Citation
Nevill, AM., Cooke, CB. (2017) 'The Dangers of Estimating V˙O2max Using Linear, Nonexercise Prediction Models', Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 49(5) pp. 1036-1042. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000001178Publisher
American College of Sports MedicineJournal
Medicine and Science in Sports and ExercisePubMed ID
27922463Additional Links
https://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/Fulltext/2017/05000/The_Dangers_of_Estimating_V_O2max_Using_Linear,.22.aspxType
Journal articleLanguage
enDescription
This is an accepted manuscript of an article published by American College of Sports Medicine in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise on 01/12/2016, available online: https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000001178 The accepted version of the publication may differ from the final published version.ISSN
0195-9131ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1249/MSS.0000000000001178
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- Creative Commons
Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as Archived with thanks to Medicine and science in sports and exercise
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