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European Heart Journal 1994 15(9):1247-1251;
Copyright © 1994 by the European Society of Cardiology.
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© 1994 The European Society of Cardiology

A simple formula for the estimation of maximal oxygen intake during cycle ergometry

D. J. Mertens*,, T. Kavanagh* and R. J. Shephard*,{dagger}

*Toronto Rehabilitation Centre 345-347 Rumsey Road, Toronto
{dagger}School of Physical & Health Education, University of Toronto Canada

Received 17 November 1993; revised 28 April 1994; .

Correspondence D J. Mertens, Toronto Rehabilitation Centre, 345-347 Rumsey Road, Toronto, Ontario M4G 1R7, Canada.

Abstract

Exercise prescription has traditionally been based on the heart rate/work rate relationship. Many post-myocardial (MI) patients are now taking medications such as beta-blockers that alter this relationship, necessitating an alternative method for exercise prescription. The directly measured maximal oxygen intake ( VO2max) is not substantially affected by such medications, but direct determinations of VO2max are time consuming, costly, and vulnerable to both local muscle weakness and poor motivation. We have therefore re-examined the relationship between work rate and maximal oxygen intake in order to derive a simple formula which will give an indirect estimate of the latter. Our results, obtained on 28 patients receiving beta-blockers, 13 receiving calcium channel blockers, 10 receiving combined therapy, and 49 who received neither treatment, indicate that the peak oxygen intake can be estimated accurately, using the expression VO2max. ml. min–1 =2W, where W is the peak power output, measured in kp. m. min–1 or 12.3 W, where W is the peak power output in Watts.

Key Words: Maximal oxygen intake • work rate • exercise prescription • post-myocardial infarction patients • submaximal exercise tests


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