Reference values for aerobic capacity estimated by cardiopulmonary exercise test on a cycle ergometer in a healthy Greek population

Abstract

Objective: Aerobic capacity (AC) is inversely associated with a high risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality as well as all-cause mortality. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) represents the gold standard for assessing exercise capacity based on maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max). The purpose of our study was to provide for the first time CPET-derived normative reference values in a Greek cohort of apparently healthy men and women on a cycle ergometer to evaluate their AC, and to compare our results with similar studies from other countries. Methods: A cohort of 194 apparently healthy subjects (118 males and 76 females, age range, 15-69 years) was submitted to CPET using a cycle ergometer. Mean ± SD values for several exercise parameters, VO2max included, were determined. We compared our results with existing data derived from USA and North Europe cohorts. Results: Male subjects achieved significantly higher levels of relative and absolute VO2max (p < 0.001) across all ages compared to female subjects. A decline in relative and absolute VO2max among older participants was observed in both sexes. Greek subjects had lower AC than the North Europe cohort and almost similar to the USA cohort. Conclusion: We provide the first reference data for AC in apparently healthy Greek subjects based on CPET using cycle ergometer. Our findings will allow for more accurate interpretation of CPET in several groups of healthy subjects or patients with CV diseases. The differences found between our reference values and those reported from the USA and northern European countries, underscore the need for individual countries to develop their own AC reference values.

Keywords

• aerobic capacity
• cardiopulmonary exercise testing
• oxygen consumption
• cycle ergometry
• reference values