Validity of the revised Ekblom Bak cycle ergometer test in adults

PURPOSE: To further develop the Ekblom Bak-test prediction equation for estimation of VO(2)max from submaximal cycle ergometry. METHODS: The model group (117 men and 100 women, aged 48.3 ± 15.7 and 46.1 ± 16.8 years, VO(2)max 46.6 ± 11.1 and 40.4 ± 9.6 mL kg(−1) min(−1), respectively) and the cross-validation group (60 men and 55 women, aged 40.6 ± 17.1 and 41.6 ± 16.7 years, VO(2)max 49.0 ± 12.1 and 43.2 ± 8.9 mL min(−1) kg(−1), respectively) performed 4 min of cycling on a standard work rate (30 W) directly followed by 4 min on a higher work rate. Heart rate (HR) at each work rate was recorded. Thereafter, participants completed a graded maximal treadmill test for direct measurement of oxygen uptake. The new prediction equation was cross-validated and accuracy compared with the original Ekblom Bak equation as well as by the Åstrand test method. RESULTS: The final sex-specific regression models included age, change in HR per-unit change in power (ΔHR/ΔPO), the difference in work rates (ΔPO), and HR at standard work rate as independent variables. The adjusted R(2) for the final models were 0.86 in men and 0.83 in women. The coefficient of variation (CV) was 8.7 % and SEE 0.28 L min(−1). The corresponding CV and SEE values for the EB-test(2012) and the Åstrand tests were 10.9 and 18.1 % and 0.35 and 0.48 L min(−1), respectively. CONCLUSION: The new EB-test prediction equation provides an easy administered and valid estimation of VO(2)max for a wide variety of ages (20–86 years) and fitness levels (19–76 mL kg(−1) min(−1)).