Reference Values for Estimated VOmax by Two Submaximal Cycle Tests: the Åstrand-test and the Ekblom-Bak test

Overview

Journal Eur J Appl Physiol

Specialty Physiology

Date 2024 Jan 22

PMID 38252302

Authors

Daniel Vaisanen

Bjorn Ekblom

Peter Wallin

Gunnar Andersson

Elin Ekblom-Bak

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Aims: Submaximal tests estimating VOmax have inherent biases; hence, using VOmax estimations from the same test is essential for reducing this bias. This study aimed to establish sex- and age-specific reference values for estimated VOmax using the Åstrand-test (Å-test) and the Ekblom-Bak test (EB-test). We also assessed the effects of age, exercise level, and BMI on VOmax estimations.

Methods: We included men and women (20-69 years) from the Swedish working population participating in Health Profile Assessments between 2010 and 2020. Excluding those on heart rate-affecting medicines and smokers, n = 263,374 for the Å-test and n = 95,043 for the EB-test were included. VOmax reference values were based on percentiles 10, 25, 40, 60, 75, and 90 for both sexes across 5-year age groups.

Results: Estimated absolute and relative VOmax were for men 3.11 L/min and 36.9 mL/min/kg using the Å-test, and 3.58 L/min and 42.4 mL/min/kg using the EB-test. For women, estimated absolute and relative VOmax were 2.48 L/min and 36.6 mL/min/kg using the Å-test, and 2.41 L/min and 35.5 mL/min/kg using the EB-test. Higher age (negative), higher exercise level (positive), and higher BMI (negative) were associated with estimated VOmax using both tests. However, explained variance by exercise on estimated VOmax was low, 10% for the Å-test and 8% for the EB-test, and moderate for BMI, 23% and 29%.

Conclusion: We present reference values for estimated VOmax from two submaximal cycle tests. Age, exercise, and BMI influenced estimated VOmax. These references can be valuable in clinical evaluations using the same submaximal tests.

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