Validity of heart rate based nomogram fors estimation of maximum oxygen uptake in Indian population.

) Abstract : Abstract : Abstract : Abstract : Abstract : Maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2 max) during a graded maximal exercise test is the objective method to assess cardiorespiratory fitness. Maximal oxygen uptake testing is limited to only a few laboratories as it requires trained personnel and strenuous effort by the subject. At the population level, submaximal tests have been developed to derive VO 2 max indirectly based on heart rate based nomograms or it can be calculated using anthropometric measures. These heart rate based predicted standards have been developed for western population and are used routinely to predict VO 2 max in Indian population. In the present study VO 2 max was directly measured by maximal exercise test using a bicycle ergometer and was compared with VO 2 max derived by recovery heart rate in Queen's College step test (QCST) (PVO 2 max I) and with VO 2 max derived from Wasserman equation based on anthropometric parameters and age (PVO2max II) in a well defined age group of healthy male adults from New Delhi. The values of directly measured VO 2 max showed no significant correlation either with the estimated VO 2 max with QCST or with VO 2 max predicted by Wasserman equation. Bland and Altman method of approach for limit of agreement between VO 2 max and PVO 2 max I or PVO 2 max II revealed that the limits of agreement between directly measured VO 2 max and PVO 2 max I or PVO 2 max II was large indicating inapplicability of prediction equations of western population in the population under study. Thus it is evident that there is an urgent need to develop nomogram for Indian population, may be even for different ethnic sub-population in the country.