Peak fat oxidation rate (PFO) and the intensity that elicits PFO (Fatmax) are commonly determined by a validated graded exercise test (GE) on a cycling-ergometer with indirect calorimetry. However, for upper body exercise fat oxidation rates are not well elucidated and no protocol has been validated. Thus, our aim was to test validity and inter-method reliability for determination of PFO and Fatmax in trained men using a GE protocol applying double poling on a ski-ergometer. PFO and Fatmax was assessed during two identical GE tests (GE1 and GE2) and validated against separated short continuous exercise bouts (SCE) at 35%, 50% and 65% of VO2peak on the ski-ergometer in 10 trained men (VO2peak: 65.1±1.0 ml·min-1·kg-1, mean±SEM). Between GE tests no differences were found in PFO (GE1: 0.42±0.03; GE2: 0.45±0.03 g·min-1, p=0.256) or Fatmax (GE1: 41±2%; GE2: 43±3% of VO2peak, p=0.457) and the intra-individual coefficient of variation (CV) was 8±2% and 11±2% for PFO and Fatmax, respectively. Between GE and SCE tests PFO (GEavg: 0.44±0.03; SCE; 0.47±0.06 g·min-1, p=0.510) was not different, whereas a difference in Fatmax (GEavg: 42±2%; SCE: 52±4% of VO2peak, p=0.030) was observed with a CV of 17±4% and 15±4% for PFO and Fatmax, respectively. In conclusion, GE has a high day-to-day reliability in determination of PFO and Fatmax in trained men, whereas it is unclear if PFO and Fatmax determined by GE reflect continuous exercise in general.
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