CLINICO-PHYSIOLOGIC EVALUATION OF PHYSICAL WORKING CAPACITY IN PERSONS WITH PULMONARY DISEASE - RATIONALE AND APPLICATION OF A METHOD BASED ON ESTIMATING MAXIMAL OXYGEN-CONSUMING CAPACITY FROM MBC AND O2VE .2.

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Abstract
A simple and adaptable procedure for evaluating the physical working capacity of individual subjects is described. It requires: measurement of the subject''s ventilatory capacity by determining his maximal breathing capacity (MBC); estimating, with a nomogram that is presented, the peak rate of O2 consumption (VO2max) or normal persons of the same age and weight as the subject; estimating, from another nomogram, the speed and grade of walking that will require the subject to work at a rate requiring about half his normal peak V02 [02 consumption]; observing the subject during this stint of exercise; measuring the volume of breathing and V02 during the 5th and 6th min. of the walk. By dividing this volume measurement by the V02. the ventilatory equivalent for O2 (2ve can be estimated. From this estimate of the O2ve and the MBC, the value for the subject''s peak V02 that he cannot exceed, can be estimated. By observing a person doing work that requires half of the normal peak rate of energy expenditure, one can judge accurately whether he is significantly incapacitated. By combining this with knowledge of the ventilatory capacity and the ventilatory equivalent, the subjective estimate of physical working capacity can be reinforced and substantiated, or qualified and revised.