Prediction of maximal oxygen uptake from submaximal exercise testing in aerobically fit and nonfit men

Aerobic physical fitness, as determined by the body's maximal capacity to utilize oxygen (VO2max) during demanding work, is an important determinant of a person's ability to perform many military tasks. The present 2.4 km (1.5 mi) run has not proven itself capable of accurately estimating this important factor on a periodic basis. This paper reviews prior studies of heart rate response to known workloads on a cycle ergometer to estimate VO2max. This submaximal test, as revised by scientists at the USAF Armstrong Laboratory at Brooks AFB, TX, was validated on 22 male subjects by comparing the test results with laboratory measurements of VO2max obtained by analysis of expired air during maximal treadmill exercise. Two groups of subjects were selected; one consisting of highly trained runners and the other of inactive subjects who did not perform regular aerobic exercise. The cycle ergometry prediction underestimated measured VO2max by 8.1 ml.kg-1 x min-1 (SEE = 4.25) in all subjects, but there was a correlation of 0.95 between the estimated and measured values. Both estimated and measured VO2max were significantly higher in the group of trained runners than in the inactive subjects.