Optimal criteria and sampling interval to detect a VO2 plateau at VO2max in patients with metabolic syndrome

This study sought to determine the optimal criteria and sampling interval to detect a V̇O2 plateau at V̇O2max in patients with metabolic syndrome. Twenty-three participants with criteria-defined metabolic syndrome underwent a maximal graded exercise test. Four different sampling intervals and three different V̇O2 plateau criteria were analysed to determine the effect of each parameter on the incidence of V̇O2 plateau at V̇O2max. Seventeen tests were classified as maximal based on attainment of at least two out of three criteria. There was a significant (p < 0.05) effect of 15-breath (b) sampling interval on the incidence of V̇O2 plateau at V̇O2max across the ≤50 and ≤80 mL∙min−1 conditions. Strength of association was established by the Cramer’s V statistic (φc); (≤50 mL∙min−1 [φc = 0.592, p < 0.05], ≤80 mL∙min−1 [φc = 0.383, p < 0.05], ≤150 mL∙min−1 [φc = 0.246, p > 0.05]). When conducting maximal stress tests on patients with metabolic syndrome, a 15-b sampling interval and ≤50 mL∙min−1 criteria should be implemented to increase the likelihood of detecting V̇O2 plateau at V̇O2max.