Normal References of Peak Oxygen Uptake for Cardiorespiratory Fitness Measured with Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Chinese Adults

Introduction: This study aims to establish normal reference values of peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) for cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in Chinese adults using cardiorespiratory exercise testing (CPET). Methods: A cross-sectional study was done in four communities, two in the North (Beijing) and two in the South (Hezhou, Guangxi) of China from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2018, with one urban and one rural in each region. Out of 1642 participants screened, 1114 were eligible and completed CPET using a cycle ergometer (Ergosana320F) without abnormal ECG and were included in the analysis. The 2nd and 98th percentiles of VO2peak were used as the lower and upper limits of the normal reference values. Results: Significant difference in mean VO2peak was shown between men (27.0 mL.min(-1).kg(-1)) and women (23.7 mL.min(-1).kg(-1)). The mean VO2peak decreased with age in both sexes, from 35.8 mL.min(-1).kg(-1) in age 20-29 years to 20.5 mL.min(-1).kg(-1) in 70-79 years in men and from 29.2 mL.min(-1).kg(-1) to 17.0 mL.min(-1).kg(-1) in women. Thus, the age- and sex-specific normal reference values of VO2peak were presented for each 10-year age group by men and women separately. Conclusions: This first community-based study in China provides age- and sex-specific normal references of VO2peak as a measure of CRF in Chinese adults, which differed significantly from those established in Western populations. Future studies with national representative samples should be warranted.

Automated summary

This study aimed to establish normal reference values of peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) for cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in Chinese adults using cardiorespiratory exercise testing (CPET). The results showed significant differences in VO2peak between men and women, with a decrease in VO2peak as age increased.