[Maximal workload prediction models in the clinical cardio-pulmonary effort test].
OBJECTIVE
This study sought to derive generalized equations for predicting maximal workload for young men and women.


METHODS
Direct ergospirometry (Aerosport TEEM 100, USA) was used to determine VO2máx and the maximal work load (Wmax) on the cycle ergometer test (Monark,Brazil) of thirty men (25 +/- 5 years, 75.0 +/- 10.7 kg; 48.4 +/- 8.8 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1) and 243 +/- 51 Watts) and thirty women (26 +/- 5 years, 56.7 +/- 5.9 kg, 39.8 +/- 7.6 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1) and 172 +/- 37 Watts). Age and body mass were used as independent variables. For all statistic tests, a p < 0.05 significance level was adopted.


RESULTS
In the multiple linear adjustment, the maximal workload was explained by age and body mass as 54% (r = 0.73) for men, and as 76% (r = 0.87) for women, with standard errors of 0.66 W x kg(-1) and 25 Watts. The proposed equations were cross-validated using another sample with similar age and VO2máx characteristics comprised of fifteen men and fifteen women. The intraclass correlation between the predicted Wmax values and those measures by ergospirometry were 0.70 and 0.69, with standard errors of 28.4 and 15.8 Watts, respectively, for men and women.


CONCLUSIONS
This study exhibits valid generalized equations for determining the maximal cycle ergonometer workload for men and women.
Nogueira
Fernando dos Santos
FS
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Pompeu
Fernando Augusto Monteiro Sabóia
FA
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance; D010809:Physical Fitness