Reference Values for Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing for Sedentary and Active Men and Women

Background: The reference values for cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) available in Brazil were derived from a cycle ergometer in a sedentary and relatively small population. Objective: Provide reference values for CPET in Brazilians of both sexes, either sedentary or active. Methods: From 2006 to 2008, 3,992 CEPT of healthy individuals were selected from our laboratory. Athletes, smokers, patients with any known pathology, users of continuous medication and obese patients were excluded. Peak VO2 was considered max VO2. We also analyzed the anaerobic threshold VO2, maximum ventilation and oxygen pulse according to sex, age, sedentary and active patients. Age groups were divided as follows: G1 (15-24), G2 (25-34), G3 (35-44), G4 (45-54), G5 (55-64) and G6 (65-74). Results: According to age groups, the mean values of VO2 in ml/kg/min with their standard deviations were: Active man: G1-50.6 +/- 7.3, G2-47, 4 +/- 7.4, G3-45, 4 +/- 6.8, G4-40.5 +/- 6.5; G5-35.3 +/- 6.2; G6-30.0 +/- 6.1. Active woman: G1-38.9 +/- 5.7; G2-38.1 +/- 6.6; G3-34.9 +/- 5.9; G4-31.1 +/- 5.4; G5-28.6 +/- 6.1; G6-25.1 +/- 4.4. Sedentary man: G1-47.4 +/- 7.9; G2-41.9 +/- 7.2; G3-39.0 +/- 6.8; G4-35.6 +/- 7.7; G5-30.0 +/- 6.3; G6-23.1 +/- 6.3. Sedentary woman: G1-35.6 +/- 5.7; G2-34.0 +/- 4.8; G3-30.0 +/- 5.4; G4-27.2 +/- 5.0; G5-23.9 +/- 4.2; G6-21.2 +/- 3.4. Conclusion: This article provides reference values of max VO2, among other parameters, in the Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing performed on the treadmill in individuals of both sexes, either active and sedentary. (Arq Bras Cardiol 2011; 96(1): 54-59)