Sedgeman 1

Correlation of VO2max Results:

YMCA Submaximal Cycle Ergometer Test and

Queens College Step Test

Sedgeman, Daniel

Undergraduate Research, Department of Wellness

and Human Performance, Southwest Minnesota

State University, Marshall, Minnesota

Abstract:

Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) is

physiologically the highest rate of oxygen transport

(American College of Sports Medicine, 2006). The

hypothesis for this study is that the Pearson’s

Correlation coefficients would find significant

correlation between both tests. 15 healthy men and

women college-aged subjects were used (mean= 21,

SD= 2.976095). The YMCA test consisted of a

pre-test, a three minute warm up, the progressively

staged test, and a three minute cool down. The

QCT test consisted of a pre-test and the three

minute test. Overall, my results from QCT and the

YMCA test did not correlate well to each other

(r=0.2010, p-value = 0.472). Men and non-athletes

correlated the worst (r=0.1968 and r=-.0643). For

women, however, the data correlated much better

for women (r=0.5287, p-value = 0.360) and showed

moderate correlation with non-college athletes

(r= 0.5956, p-value = 0.404).

Introduction:

Being widely known as the best index of

measurement for cardiopulmonary fitness, maximal

oxygen consumption (VO2max) is physiologically the

highest rate of oxygen transport (American College

of Sports Medicine, 2006). Calculation of VO2max

is used significantly in rehabilitation as well as

sports medicine to determine a person

cardiopulmonary fitness, in order to provide a basis

to design exercise program. However many of the

protocols designed to determine VO2max such as

the YMCA Submaximal Cycle Ergometer (YMCA)

test require extensive equipment and thus protocols

such as the Queens College Step Test (QCT) were

developed. To illustrate this fact, for the YMCA

Cycle test, the use of a Monark Ergomedic Cycle

Ergometer is required and ranges in cost between

$2000 and $3000 (Monark Ergomedic 828E -

Google product search, 2009). On the other hand

for the Queens called step test, a plyometric box of

approximately 16 and a fourth inches tall is required

and ranges in cost $100 to 300 (Plyometric boxes-

Google product search, 2009). Also, for the YMCA

tests, equipment to measure blood pressure is

needed as well as a heart rate monitor. However,

this does not greatly increase the cost relative to the

QCT test because of the relatively low cost of blood

pressure equipment and the QCT also required a

heart rate monitor. Thus, the purpose of study was

to determine the correlation of results between the

YMCA test and Queens College Step Test (QCT),

to provide reasoning for using the more expensive

method, the YMCA Submaximal Cycle Ergometer

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(YMCA) test. Therefore, the hypothesis for this

study is that is that Pearson’s Correlation

coefficients would find significant correlation

between both tests.

Methods:

In order to complete this study, 15 healthy

men and women volunteer subjects were used

(mean= 21, SD= 2.976095). All subjects were

predominantly college aged students of Southwest

Minnesota State University. Their physical

characteristics are explained in table 1. Five of the

subjects were women, where one was an athlete and

four were not, while 10 of the subjects were men

with an even distribution of athletes and non-

athletes. Each subject completed two submaximal

VO2 protocols, both a YMCA test and QCT, which

calculate an estimate for VO2max. Before

participation in either test, each subject was given a

survey, as well as an explanation of protocol along

with the inherent risks of both tests. The survey

asked the subjects to give a general rate of fitness

and define their present athletic status.

Materials Used –

The materials used during the study differed

depending on test. During the YMCA test, a Polar

heart rate monitor, a blood pressure cuff, a

stethoscope, and a Monark Ergomedic 828E cycle

ergometer were used. During the QCT, a Polar heart

rate monitor, an 18” plyometric box, a 2” exercise

mat, and an electronic metronome were used. All

materials for this study were used with permission

from the Exercise Science Laboratory, Department

of Wellness and Human Performance at Southwest

Minnesota State University.

YMCA Test –

The YMCA test consisted of a pre-test, a

warm up, the progressively staged test, and a cool

down. During a pre-test, each subject was given an

explanation of how a Polar heart rate monitor works

and was then asked to put on the heart rate monitor.

Each subject was told for their privacy; it is

recommended to use the bathroom to put on a heart

rate monitor. Then, each subject was asked to sit in

order to get accurate measurement for resting heart

rate and blood pressure. Next, their resting blood

Subjects -Table #1: Physical Characteristics of

Correlation Study Subjects

Variable Mean SD Range

Men

Age 21.5 3.44 12.00

Height (in cm) 183.52 7.65 25.40

Mass (in kg) 95.50 22.31 65.91

Resting Heart Rate 70.80 9.85 30.00

Women

Age 20.00 1.58 4.00

Height (in cm) 167.64 7.18 15.24

Mass (in kg) 65.91 15.50 40.91

Resting Heart Rate 80.00 10.30 22.00

SD = standard deviation

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pressure was taken, as well as a record of their

height, mass in kg, age, and gender. Also at this

time, 85% of the subjects maximum heart rate was

calculated ([220-age]*.85). Finally, the subject was

brought over to the cycle ergometer and given

specific instructions to the actual test phases of the

YMCA test protocol. (Powers & Howly, 2007)

First of all, the YMCA test protocol began

with a three minute warm up, where the subject got

acclimated to 50 revolutions per minute cadence

constant throughout test. Secondly, YMCA test

protocol transition to its test stages, with a

maximum of four. Due to protocol once a subject

heart rate elevated to 85% of max heart rate, they

were not allowed to move up to the next stage

immediately began cool-down after completion of

their current stage. Each subject began to test stage

one at a resistance of 0.5 kilograms at stage one and

the resistance increased in the other stages

depending on heart rate as shown in figure 1. In

addition, a subject not move onto the next stage

until their heart rate plateaued to the point where

their heart rate was less than 5 beats per minute

different than the previous minute. During each

stage, heart rate was recorded at the end of every

minute, while blood pressure and ratings of

perceived exertion (RPE) was recorded within the

Figure #1: Resistance for YMCA Stages

last minute of every stage. Finally, the YMCA test

protocol ended with a three minute cool down,

where heart rate and blood pressure recorded at the

end of the three minutes. (Powers & Howly, 2007).

In order to calculate the estimation for

VO2max during the YMCA test, first of all, all

plateaued stage heart rates greater than 110 beats

per minute were plotted against their workloads

(ml*kg-1*minute-1). Secondly, a regression line of

best fit was drawn between the data points and

extrapolated to the subject’s maximum heart rate

(220-age). Then finally, with the workload

associated with the subjects maximum heart rate,

which can be found through the equation of the

regression line, a VO2max equation given by Powers

& Howly is calculated ( VO2max (ml*min-1) =

1.8ml*kgm-1 x ___kgm*min-1 + [ 7 ml*kg-1min-1 x

___kg body mass] ). (Powers & Howly, 2007)

Queens College Step Test –

The QCT test consisted of a pre-test and then the

test. There was not a mandatory a cool down, but it

was recommended. During a pre-test, each subject

was given a Polar heart rate monitor and followed

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the same procedure described in the YMCA test

protocol. Then, each subject was asked to sit in

order to get accurate measurement for resting heart

rate. Next, a record was taken of their resting heart

rate and gender. Finally, the subject was brought

over to the plyometric box set up with the exercise

mat and given specific instructions to the actual test

phases of the YMCA test protocol. (American

College of Sports Medicine, 2008).

Foot

Imprint:

| |18" Plyometric Box 2" Exercise Mat

Key:

Figure #2: Queens College Step Test

18"17"

First of all, the QCT protocol consists of a

three minute test, where the subject steps up and

down (“UP-UP-DOWN-DOWN”) on plyometric

box of approximately 16.25 inches. Once the three

minute was completed, heart rate was immediately

Table #2: Comparison of estimated VO2max scores from the YMCA submaximal test versus the QCT

TestMen and women

(n=15)Men (n=10) Women (n=5) Athletes (n=6)

Mean SD Range Mean SD Range Mean SD Range Mean SD Range

YMCA 34.96 4.81 14.94 35.16 4.71 14.67 34.55 5.54 14.6 37.65 2.69 8.33

QCT 40.98 7.49 21.39 45.05 5.35 15.96 32.84 2.73 6.65 46.22 5.73 14.74

Correl. r = 0.2010 r2 = 0.0404

p-value = 0.472

r = 0.1968 r2 = 0.0387

p-value = 0.585

r = 0.5287 r2 = 0.2795

p-value = 0.360

r = -0.2123 r2 = 0.0451

p-value = 0.686

Test Athlete Men (n=5) Non-Athletes (n=9)Non-Athlete Women

(n=4)Non-Athlete Men (n=5)

Mean SD Range Mean SD Range Mean SD Range Mean SD Range

YMCA 37.59 3.01 8.33 34.25 5.89 14.94 33.71 6.01 14.6 32.81 5.28 14.67

QCT 47.99 4.18 9.24 40.48 6.03 16.77 31.71 1.20 2.4 42.11 5.03 11.34

Correl. r = -0.2659 r2 = 0.0707

p-value = 0.665

r = -0.0643 r2 = 0.0041

p-value = 0.869

r = 0.5956 r2 = 0.3548

p-value = 0.404

r = -0.0932 r2 = 0.0087

p-value = 0.881

SD = standard deviation; r = Pearson correlation coefficient; r2 = square of Pearson correlation coefficient

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recorded and then plugged into a VO2max equation.

The stepping cadence for men was 24 steps per

minute (96 beats per minute), while the stepping

cadence for women were 22 steps per minute (88

beats per minute). The cadence was maintained

through the use of an electronic metronome. Since

the plyometric box available in the exercise science

laboratory was 18 inches in height, a 2 inch exercise

mat was used to more closely approximate 16.25

(Note: due to the imprint of a foot to the exercise

mat, the exercise mat was really 1 inch thick).

In order to calculate the estimation for VO2max

during the QCT, depending on gender, one of two

different VO2max equations was calculated. For men,

the equation was VO2max = 111.33 - (0.42 X HR),

For women, the equation was VO2max = 65.81 -

(0.1847 X HR). In both instances, the recorded

heart rate immediately following a three minute test

was plugged in to HR and the estimated VO2max

was calculated. (American College of Sports

Medicine, 2008)

Correlation Testing –

The compared data used to calculate

correlation included the estimated VO2max scores

from the YMCA test versus the QCT included all

subjects, male subjects, female subjects, athletes,

male athletes, non-athletes, male non-athletes, and

female non-athletes. Correlation was calculated by

entering VO2max scores from YMCA test and the

QCT into Minitab statistical software and

calculating the Pearson correlation coefficient, r;

along with a P-value value for each comparison (r2

was calculated in Excel). See Table #2 for further

information.

Results:

The results of the correlation calculations

show significantly small correlations for the

majority (six out of the eight correlation groups).

However, slight and moderate correlations were

found for female only correlation groups. This

implies the YMCA test and QCT are more linearly

correlated for women than for men (r= .5287 versus

r= .1968 respectively). See Figure 3 below.

For all subjects, small correlations were

found (r = 0.2010, p-value = 0.472), which show no

significant correlation between YMCA test and

QCT. Small correlations were found for athletes

(r= -0.2123, p-value = 0.686), which show no

Figure 3: Graph of QCT predicted VO2max versus

YMCA predicted VO2max. For men, r = 0.1968. For

women, r = 0.5287.

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30.00 35.00 40.00 45.00 50.00 55.00 60.0030.00

35.00

40.00

45.00

50.00

55.00

60.00 Men's Results

QCT VO2max (ml*kg-1*min-1)

YMCA

VO

2max

(ml*

kg-1

*min

-1) R = 0.1968

20.00 25.00 30.00 35.00 40.00 45.00 50.0020.00

25.00

30.00

35.00

40.00

45.00

50.00Women's Results

QCT VO2max (ml*kg-1*min-1)

YMCA

VO

2max

(ml*

kg-1

*min

-1)

R = 0.5287

significant correlation for athletes between YMCA

test and QCT. Significantly small correlations were

found for non-athletes (r = -0.0643, p-value =

0.869) and non-athlete men (r = -0.0932, p-value =

0.881), which indicates a high indication of no

significant correlation for men and non-athletes.

Small correlations were found for men (r = 0.1968,

p-value = 0.585) and for male athletes (r = -

0.2659, p-value = 0.665), which indicate no

significant correlation between the YMCA

test and QCT for men and male athletes. For

women, slight to moderate correlations were

found (r = 0.5287, p-value = 0.360), which

indicate some significance between both tests

for women. For female non-athletes,

Moderate correlations found for female non-

college athletes (r = 0.5956, p-value = 0.404),

which indicate mild significance between the

YMCA test and QCT for female athletes.

Discussion:

Table #3: Percentile values for VO2max

Subject

Gender

YMCA QCT

VO2max (ml*kg-1min-

1)

Percentile value

VO2max (ml*kg-1min-

1)

Percentile value

1 F 26.84 5 30.72 152 F 37.93 65 37.37 503 F 33.97 40 33.12 304 F 32.58 30 30.72 155 F 41.44 80 32.3 256 M* 32.18 10 36.15 207 M 37.68 20 42.87 408 M 31.8 5 37.41 209 M 32.84 5 52.11 8010 M 37.93 20 50.43 7511 M 32.4 5 45.39 5512 M 38.34 25 44.13 5013 M 41.17 40 44.13 5014 M 26.5 5 47.49 6015 M 40.74 35 50.43 75

Mean: 34.96   40.98  SD: 4.81   7.49  

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Overall, my results from QCT and the

YMCA test did not correlate well to each other

(r=0.2010, p-value = 0.472). The data collected

from the study implies that is no significant

correlation between the YMCA test and the QCT

test and thus do not support the office for all

subjects, men, athletes, male athletes, non-athletes,

and male non-athletes. Men and non-athletes

correlated the worst (r=0.1968 and r=-.0643). For

women, however, the data correlated much better

for women (r=0.5287, p-value = 0.360) and showed

moderate correlation with non-college athletes

(r= 0.5956, p-value = 0.404) between the YMCA

test and the QCT test, and thus show some evidence

supporting the hypothesis. Thus by examining the

data in this study, it is implied that there is not a

significant linear relationship between the YMCA

test and the QCT test for men. Therefore, the data

may suggest one of the protocols may not be the

most accurate estimation of VO2max.

However, regardless what the data implies,

there is reasoning to suggest the data in this study

are men is inaccurate. The reasoning behind this is

research showing the reliability of both the YMCA

Submaximal Cycle Ergometer Test and Queens

College Step Test, the lack of subjects (n<30) and

suspected inaccurate percentile ranking in the

YMCA. The suspected inaccurate percentile

ranking for men is clear when examining the

percentile for men. The fact that there is not one

percentile value in the 40th percentile for active

college aged men is on realistic, especially since

five of the men are athletes. As for the lack of

subjects, since number of subjects is less than 30, it

lowers the significant of the research.

Finally, because of the research showing the

reliability of the YMCA test and QCT, it therefore

lessons the reliability of the data in this study for

men and may increase the reliability for women. In

Zwiren et al, 1991 from the Research Quarterly for

Exercise and Sport, a study was conducted with 40

healthy women and QCT. It found the Queen’s

college step test had the lowest correlation with a

graded exercise test (r = 0.55), when compared to 2

run and walk tests. It also cited other studies that

found low correlation between step tests estimations

and measured VO2max. In summary, their results

show some validity to the QCT, as well as give

reason why to my correlation for women was R =

0.528 between the YMCA and QCT. In Chatterjee

et al, 2004 from the British Journal of Sports

Medicine, a study was conducted with 30 sedentary

men dealing with the QCT. It found a significant

correlation between the prediction of VO2max by

the QCT and the direct measurement of VO2max

(r = 0.95). Thus, it showed that the QCT was a

good estimation of VO2max. Finally, Beekley et al,

2004 in the Research Quarterly of Exercise and

Sport conducted the study with 55 men and 47

women dealing with the YMCA test. For men, the

study showed a moderate correlation between the

YMCA test and VO2max (r=0.63). For women, the

study showed a high correlation between the

YMCA test and VO2max (r=0.90).

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Therefore, the results of my study have more

validity in reference to correlation of VO2max

results between the YMCA Submaximal Cycle

Ergometer Test and Queens College Step Test.

Thus, in order to achieve the results, their many

areas for further study. First of all, increasing the

number of subjects (n>30 for both men and women)

will increase the significant of the research.

Secondly, by running a grated exercise test to find

VO2max, it will allow the possibility to compare its

results to the submaximal tests. Thirdly, I could run

more submaximal VO2 tests and have the ability to

run more correlation data. Finally, by incorporating

a familiarization trial, I may be able to improve my

results.

Appendix:

Figure #4

Figure #5

Figure #6

Acknowledgments:

I would like to thank the volunteer subjects

for their time, as well as Candice Conway and

Girish Rajkarnikar for their help as lab assistants.

Also, thank you to Professors Brent Jeffers and

Judy Pitzl for your time and considerations.

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Bibliography:

American College of Sports Medicine. (2008). ACSM's health-related physical fitness assessment manual.

Baltimore: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

American College of Sports Medicine. (2006). ACSM's resource manual for guidelines for exercise testing and

prescription. Baltimore: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Beekley, M. D., Brechue, W. F., deHoyos, D. V., Garzaella, L., Werber-Zion, G., & Pollock, M. L. (2004).

Cross-Validation of the YMCA Submaximal Cycle Ergometer Test for Dick VO2max. Research Quarterly for

Exercise and Sport , 337-342.

Chatterjee, S., Chatterjee, P., Mukherjee, P., & Bandyopadhyay. (2004). Validity of Queen's College step test

for use with young Indian men. British Journal of Sports Medicine , 38, 289-291.

Monark Ergomedic 828E - Google product search. (2009). Retrieved April 27, 2009, from Google:

http://www.google.com/products?q=Monark+Ergomedic+828E&hl=en

Plyometric boxes- Google product search. (2009). Retrieved April 27, 2009, from Google:

http://www.google.com/products?q=plyometric+boxes

Powers, S. K., & Howly, E. T. (2007). Exercise Physiology: Theory and Application to Fitness and

Performance. New York: Mc Graw Hill.

Zwiren, L. D., Freedson, P. S., Ward, A., Wilke, S., & Rippe, J. M. (1991). Estimation of VO2max: an

comparison analysis of five exercise tests. Research Quarterly of Exercise and Sport , 62, 73-78.

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