Gender Difference in the Proportionality Factor Between the Mass Specific V·O_2max and the Ratio Between HR_max and HR_rest

Abstract

The maximal rate of oxygen uptake uptake (V·O_2max) is an important determinant of cardiorespiratory fitness and aerobic performance. Estimation of V·O_2max from body mass (BM), maximal heart rate (HR_max) and resting heart rate (HR_rest) has recently been conducted in a group of well-trained men using the equation: dot VO_{2max} = BM cdot PF cdot {{HR_{max} } over {HR_{rest} }}, where PF denotes the proportionality factor between {{HR_{max} } over {HR_{rest} }} and the mass specific V·O_2max. Fick principle calculations show that PF is given as the product of the mass specific resting oxygen uptake (V·O_2rest) and the maximum-to-resting ratios for stroke volume and the arterio-venous O₂ difference. Due to women's lower mass specific V·O_2rest, a gender PF difference was hypothesised. In the present study PF was examined in a sample of 27 trained female subjects, and compared with a similar study conducted in men. Significant gender difference was observed in PF, but there was no gender difference when lean BM replaced BM in the PF calculation. Accordingly, V·O_2max could be estimated indirectly by the following equation: dot VO_{2max} = BM cdot PF cdot {{HR_{max} over {HR_{rest} }}, where PF is 14.5 ml · min^-1 · kg^-1 for women and 15.3 ml · min^-1 · kg^-1 for men. Cross validation showed that the SEE was 0.22 l/min (∼ 6.8 %).

Key words

Oxygen uptake - gender - heart rate - estimation - cardiorespiratory fitness

References

• 1 Andersen L B. A maximal cycle exercise protocol to predict maximal oxygen uptake.  Scand J Med Sci Sports. 1995;  5 143-146
• 2 Åstrand P-O, Ryhming I. A nomogram for calculation of aerobic capacity (physical fitness) from pulse rate during submaximal work.  J Appl Physiol. 1954;  7 218-221
• 3 Bland J M, Altman D G. Statistical methods for assessing agreement between two methods of clinical measurement.  Lancet. 1986;  1 307-310
• 4 Clemensen P, Christensen P, Norsk P, Grønlund J. A modified photo- and magneto-acoustic multigas analyzer applied in gas exchange measurements.  J Appl Physiol. 1994;  76 2832-2839
• 5 Durnin J VGA, Womersley J. Body fat assessed from total body density and its estimation from skinfold thickness: measurements on 481 men and women aged from 16 to 72 years.  Br J Nutrition. 1974;  32 77-97
• 6 Fox E L. A simple, accurate technique for predicting maximal aerobic power.  J Appl Physiol. 1973;  35 914-916
• 7 Howley E T, Bassett D R, Welch H G. Criteria for maximal oxygen uptake: review and commentary.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1995;  27 1292-1301
• 8 Jensen K, Jørgensen A, Johansen L. A metabolic cart for measurement of oxygen uptake during exercise using inspiratory flow rate.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2002;  87 202-206
• 9 Kline G M, Porcari J P, Hintermeister R, Freedson P S, Ward A, McCarron R F, Ross J, Rippe J M. Estimation of V·O_2max from a one-mile track walk, gender, age, and body weight.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1987;  19 253-259
• 10 McCann D J, Adams W C. A theory for normalizing resting V·O_2max.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2002;  34 1382-1390
• 11 Siri W E. The gross composition of the body.  Adv Biol Med Physics. 1956;  4 239-280
• 12 Tanaka H, Monahan K D, Seals D R. Age-predicted maximal heart rate revisited.  J Am Coll Cardiol. 2001;  37 153-156
• 13 Uth N, Sorensen H, Overgaard K, Pedersen P K. Estimation of V·O_2max from the ratio between HR_max and HR_rest - the Heart Rate Ratio Method.  Eur J App Physiol. 2004;  91 111-115
• 14 Wiebe C G, Gledhill N, Warburton D E, Jamnik V K, Ferguson S. Exercise cardiac function in endurance-trained males versus females.  Clin J Sport Med. 1998;  8 272-279