Predicting maximal oxygen uptake from a 3-minute progressive knee-ups and step test
Yu-Chun Chung, Ching-Yu Huang, Huey-June Wu, Nai‐Wen Kan, Chin-Shan Ho, Chi‐Chang Huang, Hung‐Ting Chen
Abstract
Background Cardiorespiratory fitness assessment is crucial for diagnosing health risks and assessing interventions. Direct measurement of maximum oxygen uptake (V̇O 2 max) yields more objective and accurate results, but it is practical only in a laboratory setting. We therefore investigated whether a 3-min progressive knee-up and step (3MPKS) test can be used to estimate peak oxygen uptake in these settings. Method The data of 166 healthy adult participants were analyzed. We conducted a V̇O 2 max test and a subsequent 3MPKS exercise test, in a balanced order, a week later. In a multivariate regression model, sex; age; relative V̇O 2 max; body mass index (BMI); body fat percentage (BF); resting heart rate (HR0); and heart rates at the beginning as well as at the first, second, third, and fourth minutes (denoted by HR0, HR1, HR2, HR3, and HR4, respectively) during a step test were used as predictors. Moreover, R 2 and standard error of estimate (SEE) were used to evaluate the accuracy of various body composition models in predicting V̇O 2 max. Results The predicted and actual V̇O 2 max values were significantly correlated (BF% model: R 2 = 0.624, SEE = 4.982; BMI model: R 2 = 0.567, SEE = 5.153). The BF% model yielded more accurate predictions, and the model predictors were sex, age, BF%, HR0, ΔHR3−HR0, and ΔHR3−HR4. Conclusion In our study, involving Taiwanese adults, we constructed and verified a model to predict V̇O 2 max, which indicates cardiorespiratory fitness. This model had the predictors sex, age, body composition, and heart rate changes during a step test. Our 3MPKS test has the potential to be widely used in epidemiological research to measure V̇O 2 max and other health-related parameters.