Reference Values and Predictive Equations for Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Thai Adults

A series of racial specific predictive equations for exercise parameters are needed to determine a lack of cardiopulmonary fitness or having an exercise limitation on cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET).

The study aimed to develop a new set of predictive equations of CPET parameters during maximal cycling exercise for Thai adults.

A sample of 580 Thai adults whom could pass screening tests were asked to fill a health questionnaire and the Global Physical Activity questionnaire. Participants with history of symptomatic heart and pulmonary diseases, current smokers, history of smoking ≥ 10 pack-years, and abnormal spirometry were excluded. The CPET was performed using a cycle ergometer with an incremental symptom-limited protocol. Values of CPET parameters at the peak exercise (oxygen uptake [V̇O2], work rate, heart rate, oxygen pulse, and minute ventilation), lactic acidosis threshold, and ventilatory equivalents for oxygen and carbon dioxide were documented. Analyses were stratified using age and gender criterion. Predictive equations for CPET parameters were established using multivariable linear regression with age (A), weight (W), height (H), and physical activity level (Act) as independent variables.

A total of 493 participants (208 men and 285 women) were analysed. The predictive equation of V̇O2peak (L.min-1) for males was: -2.268 + (0.037 × A) - (0.0005 × A2) + (0.016 × W) + (0.014 × H) + (0.104 × Act), (R2 = 0.41, SEE = 0.392), and for females, it was: -0.34 + (0.009 × A) - (0.0002 × A2) + (0.012 × W) + (0.005 × H) + (0.058 × Act), (R2 = 0.44, SEE = 0.220).

This is the first study that constructed the predictive equations for cycling CPET parameters in Thai adults. These equations are useful to evaluate the cardiopulmonary health of the Thai population and may be generalized to other populations with geographical or ethnic proximity to the Thai people.