Journal article
An evidence-based multi-factorial model to predict the oxygen cost of ventilation during ramp-incremental cycle ergometry exercise
Frontiers in Physiology, Vol.17, pp.1-13
2026
PMCID: PMC12960085
PMID: 41797840
Abstract
Introduction: During maximal ramp-incremental exercise (RIE), the oxygen uptake power output relationship (V̇ O₂gain) may deviate from linearity near exhaustion. An increased oxygen cost of ventilation (V̇ O₂VENT) is a plausible but under-quantified contributor. This study tested a non-linear multi-factorial model using measured V̇ O2VENT and six predictors: resting expired ventilation (V̇ E), weight, height, age, V̇ O₂peak, and maximal heart rate (HRMax) to 1) estimate V̇ O₂VENT and its contribution to maximal oxygen uptake (V̇ O₂max) in an independent dataset, and 2) determine whether correcting V̇ O₂ by V̇ O₂VENT (V̇ O₂VCORR) alters V̇ O₂max and V̇ O₂gain estimates.
Methods: Published data from 42 participants (11 females, 31 males; 29 ± 6.5 y; V̇ O₂max = 4.02 ± 1.06 L·min⁻¹) were used to derive the model. Leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV) assessed validity, with predictive accuracy and coefficient stability evaluated via bootstrap resampling. The model was applied to an independent RIE dataset to generate V̇ O₂VCORR, compared with uncorrected V̇ O₂ across six %Wpeak intensities using repeated-measures ANOVA and final 30 s slope analysis.
Results: The model explained 81% of V̇ O₂VENT variance (adjusted R² = 0.78 ). V̇ O₂VENT represented 17.43 % ± 3.58 % of V̇ O₂ at V̇ O₂max, Across 35–100 % Wpeak, V̇ O₂VCORR values (L·min⁻¹) increased with intensity [1.77 ± 0.43, 2.68 ± 0.57, 3.43 ± 0.72, 3.72 ± 0.79, 3.84 ± 0.86, and 3.92 ± 0.82) but remained significantly lower than uncorrected V̇ O₂ (p < 0.001), with the final-30 s V̇ O₂ slope attenuated following correction (p = 0.002).
Conclusion: The internally validated model revealed V̇ O₂VENT may contribute to a significant fraction of V̇ O₂ near exhaustion.
Details
- Title
- An evidence-based multi-factorial model to predict the oxygen cost of ventilation during ramp-incremental cycle ergometry exercise
- Authors
- Bridgette O'Malley (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Sports & Exercise ScienceRobert A Robergs - Charles UniversityKarel Hrach - Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad LabemChantal A Vella - University of IdahoDerek Marks - Saint Mary's College of California
- Publication details
- Frontiers in Physiology, Vol.17, pp.1-13
- Publisher
- Frontiers Research Foundation
- Date published
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.3389/fphys.2026.1702120
- PMID
- 41797840; PMC12960085
- Copyright note
- © 2026 O'Malley, Robergs, Hrach, Vella and Marks. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
- Data Availability
- The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/Supplementary Material; further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Sports & Exercise Science
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991201648602621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
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- Web Of Science research areas
- Physiology