Analysis of the correlation between polar fitness test® protocol and ergospirometry

Abstract

The importance of maximal oxygen consumption (O2máx) measurement is justified by its international acceptance as the best physiological parameter to assess the functional capacity of the cardiorespiratory system in both athletes and non-athletes who physically train in order to achieve better health. To determine the agreement between the Polar Fitness Test® protocols to estimate of O2máx and the maximal exercise test with direct gas measurement. Seventeen active males (22.5 ± 2 years) participated in the study. At rest, the Polar Fitness Test® protocol by direct gas collection under maximum effort on treadmill and the Bruce protocol were applied. Significant difference in the O2máx estimation was observed between methods. The Polar Fitness Test® protocol underestimated O2máx a mean of 15% (CI95%: 24;-53%) when compared to the direct protocol. The values obtained by the Polar Fitness Test® did not correlate well with direct measurement in ergospirometer (r = 0.1). The Polar Fitness Test® protocol is not valid to estimate O2máx in physically active young men.