CRITERIA FOR MAXIMAL OXYGEN-UPTAKE - REVIEW AND COMMENTARY

Historically, the achievement of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) has be en based on objective criteria such as a leveling off of oxygen uptake with an increase in work rate, high levels of lactic acid in the bloo d in the minutes following the exercise test, elevated respiratory exc hange ratio, and achievement of some percentage of an age-adjusted est imate of maximal heart rate. These criteria are reviewed relative to t heir history, the degree to which they have been achieved in published research, and how investigators and reviewers follow them in current practice. The majority of the criteria were based on discontinuous pro tocols, often carried out over several days. Questions are raised abou t the applicability of these criteria to modern continuous graded exer cise test protocols, and our lack of consistency in the terminology we use relative to the measurement of maximal oxygen uptake.