REPRODUCIBILITY OF VO2MAX IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC AIR-FLOW OBSTRUCTION

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Abstract
The variability in maximal O2 consumption (.ovrhdot.VO2 max) was determined from repeated exercise tests in patients with chronic air-flow obstruction (CAO). Three incremental maximal cycle ergometer tests were performed in each of 11 CAO patients who were familiar with such testing. Two tests (test 1, test 2) were carried out on the same day, separated by a 60 min rest period, and 1 (test 3) was performed on a consecutive day. Group mean values for .ovrhdot.VO2 max were: 1.313 .+-. 0.259, 1.311 .+-. 0.281, 1.306 .+-. 0.288 l/min, for tests 1 to 3, respectively. These nearly identical values did not differ significantly. There was no systematic fatigue or learning effect from test to test. Other mean measurements obtained at maximal exercise were likewise not significantly different among the 3 tests. For tests performed on the same day, the mean of the absolute values of the individual patient .ovrhdot.VO2 max differences (.DELTA..ovrhdot.VO2 max) was 53 .+-. 30 ml. The .DELTA..ovrhdot.VO2 max was < 6% in 10 of the 11 patients and < 10% in the remaining patient. For tests performed on consecutive days, .DELTA..ovrhdot.VO2 max was 93 .+-. 81 ml; .DELTA..ovrhdot.VO2 max was < 6% in 6 patients and < 10% in 9 patients. Repeated maximal exercise testing is highly reproducible for groups of CAO patients, although some individual patient varibility is seen. Individual patient differences in .DELTA..ovrhdot.VO2 max are less when the 2 tests are performed on the same day than when duplicate testing is performed on consecutive days.