Determining cardiovascular fitness normative reference values in a university aged Canadian population using maximal exercise testing
Keywords
VO2max testing, aerobic capacity, graded exercise test, Bruce protocol, cardiovascular health, cardiorespiratory fitness
Type of Proposal
Visual Presentation (Poster, Installation, Demonstration)
Faculty
Faculty of Human Kinetics
Faculty Sponsor
Dr. Andrew S. Perrotta, Prof. Adriana M. Duquette, and Prof. Chad A. Sutherland
Proposal
Study Aim: Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) is the greatest rate at which the body can use oxygen and is an indicator of aerobic power. Although aerobic fitness is a valuable determinant of health, there is limited research with established normative values for healthy young Canadian adults. The purpose of the study was to develop normative reference values for a university aged Canadian young-adult population. Material and Methods: 550 undergraduate student (280 male and 270 female) participants, with a mean body mass (BM) of 72.08 ± 15.05 kg, mean age of 21.16 ± 1.26 years old and mean height of 171.95 ± 10.25 cm completed a VO2max test using the Bruce treadmill protocol. Male and female classifications were established for the total exercise time in minutes and the measured VO2max using percentiles and a seven-category classification system. Results: There were statistically significant differences between the sexes for VO2max values (p < 0.001). The measured assessment for the healthy young Canadian adults showed mean VO2max values of 40.90 ± 7.50 mL/kg/min (females) and 49.89 ± 9.20 mL/kg/min (males). Females were able to withstand the exercise protocol for a mean of 11.92 ± 1.97 minutes, while males exercised for an average of 14.33 ± 2.40 minutes before test terminated. Discussion: This study provides specific normative values for the aerobic fitness of a university aged Canadian population which can be used as reference values for cardiovascular health and fitness assessments.
Determining cardiovascular fitness normative reference values in a university aged Canadian population using maximal exercise testing
Study Aim: Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) is the greatest rate at which the body can use oxygen and is an indicator of aerobic power. Although aerobic fitness is a valuable determinant of health, there is limited research with established normative values for healthy young Canadian adults. The purpose of the study was to develop normative reference values for a university aged Canadian young-adult population. Material and Methods: 550 undergraduate student (280 male and 270 female) participants, with a mean body mass (BM) of 72.08 ± 15.05 kg, mean age of 21.16 ± 1.26 years old and mean height of 171.95 ± 10.25 cm completed a VO2max test using the Bruce treadmill protocol. Male and female classifications were established for the total exercise time in minutes and the measured VO2max using percentiles and a seven-category classification system. Results: There were statistically significant differences between the sexes for VO2max values (p < 0.001). The measured assessment for the healthy young Canadian adults showed mean VO2max values of 40.90 ± 7.50 mL/kg/min (females) and 49.89 ± 9.20 mL/kg/min (males). Females were able to withstand the exercise protocol for a mean of 11.92 ± 1.97 minutes, while males exercised for an average of 14.33 ± 2.40 minutes before test terminated. Discussion: This study provides specific normative values for the aerobic fitness of a university aged Canadian population which can be used as reference values for cardiovascular health and fitness assessments.