Validity and Reliability of the VO2 Master Pro for Oxygen Consumption and Ventilation Assessment

This study assessed validity and reliability of the VO Master Pro portable metabolic analyzer for assessment of oxygen consumption (VO) and minute ventilation (VE). In Protocol 1, eight male participants (height: 182.6 ± 5.8 cm, weight: 79.6 ± 8.3 kg, age: 41.0 ± 12.3 years) with previous competitive cycling experience completed an hour-long stationary cycling protocol twice, progressing from 100-300 Watts every 10 minutes while wearing the VO Master and a criterion measure (Parvomedics) for five minutes each, at each stage. In Protocol 2, 16 recreationally active male participants (height: 168.2 ± 8.4 cm, weight: 76.5 ± 13.3 kg, age: 23.0 ± 9.4 years) completed three incremental, maximal stationary cycling tests wearing one of three analyzers for each test (VO Master version 1.1.1, VO Master version 1.2.1, Parvomedics). For Protocol 1 and convergent validity, the VO Master had mean absolute differences from the Parvomedics of <0.3 L/min for absolute VO and <5 L/min for VE overall and at each exercise stage. Mean absolute percent differences (MAPD) for VO and VE were <9% overall and <12% at each stage. Test-retest reliability of the VO Master (MAPD: 8.9-10.9%) was somewhat poorer than the Parvomedics (MAPD: 5.3-7.6%). For Protocol 2, validity was similar for both VO Master models (MAPD ~12% overall) compared to the Parvomedics for VO and VE. The VO Master had an acceptable validity and test-retest reliability for most intensities tested and may be an appealing option for field-based VO and VE analysis.