A 3-min All-Out Test to Determine Peak Oxygen Uptake and the Maximal Steady State

Purpose We tested the hypothesis that a 3-min all-out cycling test would provide a measure of peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and estimate the maximal steady-state power output.Methods Eleven habitually active subjects performed a ramp test, three 3-min all-out tests against a fixed resistance, and two further submaximal tests lasting up to 30 min, 15 W below or above the power output attained in the last 30 s of the 3-min test (the end-test power).Results The VO2peak measured during the 3-min all-out test (mean +/- SD: 3.78 +/- 0.68 L x min(-1)) was not different from that of the ramp test (3.84 +/- 0.79 L x min(-1); P = 0.75). The end-test power (257 +/- 49 W) was significantly lower than that at the end of the ramp test (368 +/- 73 W) and significantly higher than the power at the gas exchange threshold (169 +/- 55 W; P Conclusions These data suggest that a 3-min all-out exercise test can be used to establish VO2peak and to estimate the maximal steady state.