Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess whether maximal oxygen uptake (V.O_2max) could be predicted from submaximal ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) elicited during the multistage fitness test (MFT). Eleven female volunteers completed three maximal exercise tests in random order; the MFT, a simulated MFT on a motorised treadmill and a graded exercise test to volitional exhaustion (GXT), also on a motorised treadmill. RPE values were recorded at the end of each 1 min stage in all three tests. Oxygen consumption (VO₂) was recorded continuously during the treadmill tests. Measured V.O_2max values from the GXT and simulated MFT were not significantly different (48.2 and 47.5 ml/kg/min, respectively), but they were significantly higher than V.O_2max values predicted by the MFT (41.2 ml/kg/min, p<0.05). Regression of submaximal RPE values (7–17) elicited from the MFT and VO₂ values predicted by the MFT were extrapolated to RPE 20 to predict V.O_2max. The RPE-predicted V.O_2max from the MFT (47.5 ml/kg/min) was similar to measured V.O_2max. The findings suggest that submaximal RPE values can be used to provide acceptable estimates of V.O_2max which are more accurate than the published table values for the MFT. Furthermore, the use of RPE measures in conjunction with the MFT enhances the accuracy of V.O_2max prediction by the MFT.