Abstract
Objectives: In this study, we aimed to assess the maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2max)) of young, healthy, non-athletic Saudi men using maximum graded exercise with instant breath-by-breath analysis and to compare this value to the predicted VO(2max) by international formulae. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 88 young non-athletic normal-weight Saudi subjects were recruited from Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia with mean age (21.3 ± 1.5 years), weight: (64.7 ± 7.5 kg), height: (172.3 ± 6.1 cm) and body mass index: (21.8 ± 2.1). All subjects were interviewed and examined for eligibility, after which they performed maximum graded exercise testing on a treadmill to obtain VO(2max). The predicted VO(2max) was also generated using the following formulae (Edvardsen, Fairbarns, FRIENDS, Hansen, and Jones). Results: The mean measured VO(2max) was 41.9 ± 7.2 ml/kg/min. While the predicted VO(2max) using the formulae were: Edvardsen = 66.8 ± 7.9, Fairbarns = 64.1 ± 4.7, FRIENDS = 53.5 ± 2.2, Hansen = 42.8 ± 0.54, and Jones = 50.9 ± 5.1 ml/kg/min. There was a significant difference between all the predicted VO(2max) and the measured one using the paired t-test (P < 0.001), except for the Hansen's predicted value (P = 0.212). The effect size index (Cohen's d) for the comparison of Hansen's VO(2max) and measured VO(2max) was trivial and equal to 0.13. The Bland-Altman test showed good agreement between the measured and Hansen's predicted VO(2max). Conclusion: This study demonstrated the mean VO(2max) value of young, healthy, and non-athletic Saudi men. This value was lower than Western values, which might be due to low physical activity or racial differences. Most international formulae overestimate the VO(2max) in this population, except for the Hansen equation. Therefore, Hansen's predicted VO(2max) might be the best available reference value for the diagnosis and prognosis of young Saudi individuals undergoing maximum exercise testing.