Below or all the way to the peak? Oxygen uptake efficiency slope as the index of cardiorespiratory response to exercise—the NOODLE study

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> The ratio of oxygen uptake (VO₂) to minute ventilation (VE) is described as the oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES). OUES has been suggested as a valuable submaximal cardiorespiratory index; however, its characteristics in endurance athletes remain unknown. In this study, we a) investigated OUES between different time intervals, b) assessed their prediction power for VO₂peak, and c) derived new prediction equations for OUES tailored for well-trained individuals. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> A total of 77 male (age = 21.4 ± 4.8 yrs; BMI = 22.1 ± 1.6 kg·m^-2; peak oxygen uptake = 4.40 ± 0.64 L·min^-1) and 63 female individuals (age = 23.4 ± 4.3 yrs; BMI = 23.1 ± 1.6 kg·m^-2; peak oxygen uptake = 3.21 ± 0.48 L·min^-1) underwent the cycling cardiopulmonary exercise test. OUES was measured at 75%, 90%, and 100% of exercise duration. Prediction power and new models were derived with the multiple linear regression method. <b>Results:</b> In male subjects, OUES [mL·min^-1/L·min^-1] from 75% = 4.53 ± 0.90, from 90% = 4.52 ± 0.91, and from 100% = 4.41 ± 0.87. In female subjects, OUES [mL·min^-1/L·min^-1] from 75% = 3.50 ± 0.65, from 90% = 3.49 ± 0.62, and from 100% = 3.41 ± 0.58. OUES did not differ between time intervals in male (<i>p</i> = 0.65) and female individuals (<i>p</i> = 0.69). OUES strongly predicts peak VO₂ independently from the measuring interval (<i>β</i> = 0.71-0.80; <i>R</i> ² = 0.50-0.63). The prediction model designed for elite athletes was OUES [mL·min^-1/L·min^-1] = -1.54 + 2.99; BSA [m²]-0.0014; (age [in years]; sex [1 = male, 2 = female]) (<i>R</i> ² = 0.36). <b>Conclusion:</b> OUES enables an accurate prediction of peak cardiorespiratory fitness in elite endurance athletes. OUES is a feasible alternative to maximal exercise testing. A new prediction equation should be used for highly trained individuals. Physicians should understand OUES physiology to properly assess the cardiorespiratory response to exercise in athletic cohorts.