VO(2)max in patients with chronic pain: comparative analysis with objective and subjective tests of disability

To establish the level of maximal aerobic capacity in patients with chronic pain of different etiologies and to compare these results with different parameters of disability. A cycloergometer exercise test with VO(2)max measurement, fatigue assessment and objective and subjective disability parameter testing was performed on 155 patients (mean age 42.1 ± 9.9 years) classified into three groups: patients with chronic lower back pain, patients with an upper limb musculoskeletal disorder, and patients with multifocal chronic pain. The mean VO(2)max value was 22.18 mL/min/kg. There was no statistically significant difference in VO(2)max between the three groups. The patients with poorest aerobic condition were older (P