title: Cardio-respiratory reference data in 4631 healthy men and women 20-90 years: the HUNT 3 fitness study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide a large reference material on key cardio-respiratory variables in a healthy population of Norwegian men and women aged 20-90 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sub maximal and peak levels of cardio-respiratory variables were measured using cardiopulmonary exercise testing during treadmill running.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The highest peak ventilation among men (141.9±24.5 L·min-1) and women (92.0±16.5 L·min-1) was observed in the youngest age group (20-29 years, sex differences p<0.001) with an average 7% reduction per decade. The highest tidal volumes were observed in the 30-39 and 40-49 year age groups among men (2.94±0.46 L) and women (2.06±0.32 L) (sex differences p<0.001), with a subsequent average 6% reduction per decade. Ventilatory threshold and respiratory compensation point were observed at approximately 77% and 87% of peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) among men and women, respectively. The best ventilatory efficiency (EqVCO2Than) was observed in the youngest age group (20-29 years) in both men (26.2±2.8) and woman (27.5±2.7) (sex differences p<0.001) with an average 3% deterioration in ventilatory efficiency per decade.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the largest European reference material of cardio-respiratory variables in healthy men and women aged 20-90 years, establishing normal values for, and associations between key cardio-respiratory parameters. This will be useful in clinical decision making when evaluating cardiopulmonary health in similar populations.
authors.affiliation: K.G. Jebsen Center of Exercise in Medicine at Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway; Valnesfjord Rehabilitation Center, Valnesfjord, Norway.
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Loe
authors.affiliation: K.G. Jebsen Center of Exercise in Medicine at Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway; Department of Thoracic Medicine, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Sigurd
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Steinshamn
authors.affiliation: K.G. Jebsen Center of Exercise in Medicine at Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Ulrik
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Wisløff
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012420:Running; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013990:Tidal Volume; D055815:Young Adult