Maximum Voluntary Ventilation in a Population Residing at 2,240 Meters Above Sea Level

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Physiology
• Altitude Medicine
• Respiratory Function Testing

Background:

• Maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) is a key measure of ventilatory capacity.
• Standard MVV estimation (FEV1 x 35 or 40) is altitude-dependent due to air density.
• Accurate MVV reference values at high altitude are needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe MVV in healthy individuals at 2,240 m.
• To compare high-altitude MVV with standard sea-level estimations.
• To develop predictive equations for MVV at this altitude.

Main Methods:

• Recruited healthy, non-obese volunteers residing >2 years at 2,240 m.
• Performed spirometry and MVV measurements according to standards.
• Used multiple regression analysis (age, height, FEV1) for sex-specific equations.

Main Results:

• Studied 381 individuals; mean MVV was 145.6 ± 48 L/min.
• FEV1 x 35 and FEV1 x 40 significantly underestimated observed MVV.
• Observed MVV approximated FEV1 x 45; regression models explained 70% of variability.

Conclusions:

• At 2,240 m, MVV is approximately 45 times FEV1.
• Sea-level MVV reference values are inaccurate at this altitude.
• Sex-specific regression equations including age and FEV1 best predict MVV.