LAUSR

Introduction Current methods (plateau/secondary criteria) to determine maximal oxygen consumption ( $$ {\dot{\text{V}}} $$ V ˙ O 2max ) are inconsistently achieved leading some to suggest the use of a verification phase (VP) to confirm $$ {\dot{\text{V}}} $$ V ˙ O 2max . Purpose To provide further evidence for the inclusion of a VP to confirm $$ {\dot{\text{V}}} $$ V ˙ O 2max in different fitness levels. Methods Forty-nine participants (22 females; 21.9 ± 2.6 years, 24.3 ± 2.8 kg m −2 , 45.27 ± 7.68 mL kg −1 min −1 ) had their $$ {\dot{\text{V}}} $$ V ˙ O 2 and heart rate measured during three graded exercise tests (GXT) on separate days each followed by a VP of differing intensity (85%, 95%, 105% final workload). Participants were divided into groups using norms adapted from American College of Sports Medicine $$ {\dot{\text{V}}} $$ V ˙ O 2max guidelines (30.47–61.47 mL kg −1 min −1 ). $$ {\dot{\text{V}}} $$ V ˙ O 2max was confirmed if the $$ {\dot{\text{V}}} $$ V ˙ O 2peak on the VP or an additional GXT was within ± 2 × typical error of the $$ {\dot{\text{V}}} $$ V ˙ O 2peak attained on the first GXT. There was no effect of test number so the third GXT was not included in comparison with VP. Results The $$ {\dot{\text{V}}} $$ V ˙ O 2peak from the first GXT was not different than either value attained following the VP at 95 or 105% workload or a second GXT ( p  > 0.999). The 85% VP $$ {\dot{\text{V}}} $$ V ˙ O 2peak was lower than the first GXT $$ {\dot{\text{V}}} $$ V ˙ O 2peak ( p  = 0.002). The VP confirmed the GXT $$ {\dot{\text{V}}} $$ V ˙ O 2peak on 73% of VP (no differences among fitness levels). Submaximal VP (85 and 95%) was less effective as 65% and 51% of participants achieved a higher $$ {\dot{\text{V}}} $$ V ˙ O 2peak on one of the GXT. Conclusion The use of a VP at 105% or a second GXT was able to confirm the $$ {\dot{\text{V}}} $$ V ˙ O 2max value attained across a range of fitness levels.