VO2max Estimation from Non-Exercise Data for Screening Purposes

VO2max Estimation from Non-Exercise Data for Screening Purposes. This calculation of VO2max using non-exercise data can provide a useful initial estimate of an athlete's VO2max for screening purposes. The data required to predict an athlete's VO2max is: Gender, Body Mass Index, Physical Activity Rating and Perceived Functional Ability.

VO2max Estimation

Physical Activity Rating
In the following table please note the value for the appropriate statement that indicates the overall physical activity in the past six months.

1. Inactive: avoid walking or exertion, leg drive when possible instead of walking
2. Light activity: walk for pleasure, occasionally exercise sufficiently to cause heavy breathing or perspiration
3. Moderate activity: 10 to 60 minutes per week of moderate activity such as golf, walking for exercise, weight lifting
4. Moderate activity: over 1 hour per week of moderate activity described above
5. Vigorous activity: run less than one mile per week or spend less than 30 minutes per week in comparable activity such as running or jogging, swimming, cycling, rowing, or engaging in vigorous aerobic-type activity such as soccer, basketball, tennis or handball
6. Vigorous activity: run 1 mile to less than 5 miles per week or spend 30 min to less than 60 min per week in comparable physical activity as described above
7. Vigorous activity: run 5 miles to less than 10 miles per week or spend 1 hour to less than 3 hours per week in comparable physical activity as described above
8. Vigorous activity: run 10 miles to less than 15 miles per week or spend 3 hours to less than 6 hours per week in comparable physical activity as described above
9. Vigorous activity: run 15 miles to less than 20 miles per week or spend 6 hours to less than 7 hours per week in comparable physical activity as described above
10. Vigorous activity: run 20 miles to less than 25 miles per week or spend 7 hours to less than 8 hours per week in comparable physical activity as described above
11. Vigorous activity: run over 25 miles per week or spend over 8 hours per week in comparable physical activity as described above

Perceived Functional Ability - 1 Mile

In the following table please note the value for the appropriate statement ma indicates your perceived ability to maintain a steady pace (not too easy or not too hard) on an indoor track for one mile.

1. Walking at a slow pace (18 minute/mile or more)
2. Walking at a slow pace (17 minutes/mile)
3. Walking at a medium pace (16 minutes/mile)
4. Walking at a medium pace (15 minutes/mile)
5. Walking at a fast pace (14 minutes/mile)
6. Walking at a fast pace (13 minutes/mile)
7. Jogging at a slow pace (12 minutes/mile)
8. Jogging at a slow pace (11 minutes/mile)
9. Jogging at a medium pace (10 minutes/mile)
10. Jogging at a medium pace (9 minutes/mile)
11. Jogging at a fast pace (8 minutes/mile)
12. Running at a fast pace (7 minutes/mile)
13. Running at a fast pace (less than 7 minutes/mile)

Perceived Functional Ability- 3 Miles

In the following table please note the value for the appropriate statement that indicates your perceived ability to maintain a steady pace to cover 3 miles without becoming breathless or over fatigued.

1. I could walk the entire distance at slow pace (18 minute/mile or more) 
2. I could walk the entire distance at a medium pace (17 minutes/mile)
3. I could walk the entire distance at a medium pace (16 minutes/mile)
4. I could walk the entire distance at a medium pace (15 minutes/mile) 
5. I could walk the entire distance at a fast pace (14 minutes/mile)
6. I could walk the entire distance at a medium pace (13 minutes/mile)
7. I could jog the entire distance at a slow pace (12 minutes/mile)
8. I could jog the entire distance at a medium pace (11 minutes/mile)
9. I could jog the entire distance at a medium pace (10 minutes/mile)
10. I could jog the entire distance at a medium pace (9 minutes/mile) 
11. I could jog the entire distance at a fast pace (8 minutes/mile)
12. I could run the entire distance at a fast pace (7 minutes/mile)
13. I could run the entire at a fast pace (less than 7 minutes/mile)

VO2max estimate

The Following equation can be used to obtain an estimate of the athlete's VO2max

• VO2max = 44.895 4 (7.042 x Sex) - (0.823 x BMI) + (0 688 x PAR ) + (0.738 x PFA1) + PFA3.

where:

• Weight in kilograms
• Height in meters
• BMI = Weight / (Height x Height)
• Sex = Male = 1 and Female = 0
• PAR = Physical Activity Rating
• PFA1 = Perceived Functional Ability - 1 mile
• PFA3 = Perceived Functional Ability - 3 mile.

The standard error of estimate for predicting VO2max = ± 3.44 ml/kg/min

Reference

Mackenzie, Brian. 2005. 101 Performance Evaluation Test. Electric World Plc. London.
George, J D., et al: Nonexercise VO2max estimation for physically active college students Med  Sci. Sports Exerc, 29:415, 1997.