Abstract
The aim of the study was to develop a simple submaximal walk test protocol and equation using heart rate (HR) response variables to predict maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). A total of 60 healthy adults were recruited to test the validity of 3 min walk tests (3MWT). VO2max and HR responses during the 3MWTs were measured. Multiple regression analysis was used to develop prediction equations. As a result, HR response variables including resting HR and HR during walking and recovery at two different cadences were significantly correlated with VO2max. The equations developed using multiple regression analyses were able to predict VO2max values (r = 0.75–0.84; r2 = 0.57–0.70; standard error of estimate (SEE) = 4.80–5.25 mL/kg/min). The equation that predicted VO2max the best was at the cadence of 120 steps per minute, which included sex; age; height; weight; body mass index; resting HR; HR at 1 min, 2 min and 3 min; HR recovery at 1 min and 2 min; and other HR variables calculated based on these measured HR variables (r = 0.84; r2 = 0.70; SEE = 4.80 mL/kg/min). In conclusion, the 3MWT developed in this study is a safe and practical submaximal exercise protocol for healthy adults to predict VO2max accurately, even compared to the well-established submaximal exercise protocols, and merits further investigation.
Highlights
Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is an important indicator of health, various chronic diseases and mortality, which has established itself alongside conventional health indicators such as BMI, blood pressure, drinking and smoking [1–4]
The data of 60 participants was used to test the feasibility of a new submaximal walk test developed in this study to predict VO2 max
Correlation analysis showed VO2 max to be significantly associated with anthropometric variables and measured heart rate (HR) related variables but less so with the calculated HR related variables
Summary
Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is an important indicator of health, various chronic diseases and mortality, which has established itself alongside conventional health indicators such as BMI, blood pressure, drinking and smoking [1–4]. Despite its importance and practical implications, the CRF is rarely used in healthcare practice [5,6] due to the fact that the gold standard measure of CRF, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max), requires expensive equipment, trained specialists and maximal effort by participants until volitional fatigue [7]. Cost and inconvenience of the VO2 max test, submaximal exercise protocols, which do not use a metabolic cart, have been developed to estimate one’s CRF [8–13]. Indirect submaximal exercise protocols generally require less expensive specialized equipment, are easier and safer to perform and are utilized more frequently in clinical practice and epidemiological studies. One of the HR variables commonly utilized is the resting heart rate (RHR), an important vital sign and indicator of CRF.
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