Age Dependency of Oxygen Uptake and Related Parameters in Exercise Testing: An Expert Opinion on Reference Values Suitable for Adults

Background Spiroergometry has been established to determine physical capacity. Reference values collected mostly in a younger population can be obtained from a number of studies and therefore may differ. Regression equations are complex and cannot be transferred easily to clinical practice. Our aim was to obtain reference values for spiroergometric parameters in cardiopulmonary exercise in healthy adult populations. Methods Eighteen studies of healthy adults (>40 years) that assessed maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2max ), oxygen uptake in relation to body weight (VO 2max /kg), and oxygen pulse (VO 2max /heart rate) were included. After data processing, spiroergometric parameters were correlated to age. Regression analysis was performed separately for each study and also weighted with the number of participants. Results For all spiroergometric parameters, age dependency was detectable for both males and females. After performing regression analysis, the following linear regression equations were determined: VO 2max : Males = −28 × age (years) + 4,000; females = −20 × age (years) + 2,700 (ml/min); VO 2max /kg: Males = −0.42 × age (years) + 58; females = −0.35 × age (years) + 46 (ml/min/kg); VO 2max /heart rate: Males = −0.10 × age (years) + 20.50; females = −0.05 × age (years) + 13 (ml/min/heart rate). Conclusions The present study provides practicable reference values for the spiroergometric parameters of adult men and women.