Prediction Equations for Maximal Aerobic Capacity on Cycle Ergometer for the Spanish Adult Population.

Background: Frequently used reference values for clinical exercise testing have been derived from non-random samples and some with poorly defined maximal criteria. Our objective was to obtain population based reference values for peak oxygen uptake (V?O) and work rate (WR) for cardiopulmonary exercise testing in a representative sample of Caucasian Spanish men and women.

Methods: 182 men and women, 20-85 years old, were included and exercised on cycle-ergometer to exhaustion. (V?O) and WR were measured. The equations obtained from this sample were validated in an independent cohort of 69 individuals, randomly sampled form the same population. Then a final equation merging the two cohorts (=251) was produced.

Results: Height, sex and age resulted predictive of both V?O peak and WR. Weight and physical activity added very little to the accuracy to the equations. The formulas V?Opeak=0.017·height?(cm)-0.023·age?(years)+0.864·sex?(female=0/male=1)±179?l?min, and peak WR=1.345 · height (cm) - 2.074 · age (years)+76.54 · sex (female=0/male=1)±21.2W were the best compromise between accuracy and parsimony.

Conclusions: This study provides new and accurate V?O peak and WR rate reference values for individuals of European Spanish descent.