Brazilian Cardiorespiratory Fitness Classification Based on Maximum Oxygen Consumption

BACKGROUND Cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) is the most complete tool available to assess functional aerobic capacity (FAC). Maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max), an important biomarker, reflects the real FAC. OBJECTIVE To develop a cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) classification based on VO2 max in a Brazilian sample of healthy and physically active individuals of both sexes. METHODS We selected 2837 CEPT from 2837 individuals aged 15 to 74 years, distributed as follows: G1 (15 to 24); G2 (25 to 34); G3 (35 to 44); G4 (45 to 54); G5 (55 to 64) and G6 (65 to 74). Good CRF was the mean VO2 max obtained for each group, generating the following subclassification: Very Low (VL): VO2 < 50% of the mean; Low (L): 50% - 80%; Fair (F): 80% - 95%; Good (G): 95% -105%; Excellent (E) > 105%. RESULTS Men VL < 50% L 50-80% F 80-95% G 95-105% E > 105% G1 < 25.30 25.30-40.48 40.49-48.07 48.08-53.13 > 53.13 G2 < 23.70 23.70-37.92 37.93-45.03 45.04-49.77 > 49.77 G3 < 22.70 22.70-36.32 36.33-43.13 43.14-47.67 > 47.67 G4 < 20.25 20.25-32.40 32.41-38.47 38.48-42.52 > 42.52 G5 < 17.54 17.65-28.24 28.25-33.53 33.54-37.06 > 37.06 G6 < 15 15.00-24.00 24.01-28.50 28.51-31.50 > 31.50 Women G1 < 19.45 19.45-31.12 31.13-36.95 36.96-40.84 > 40.85 G2 < 19.05 19.05-30.48 30.49-36.19 36.20-40.00 > 40.01 G3 < 17.45 17.45-27.92 27.93-33.15 33.16-34.08 > 34.09 G4 < 15.55 15.55-24.88 24.89-29.54 29.55-32.65 > 32.66 G5 < 14.30 14.30-22.88 22.89-27.17 27.18-30.03 > 30.04 G6 < 12.55 12.55-20.08 20.09-23.84 23.85-26.35 > 26.36 CONCLUSIONS: This chart stratifies VO2 max measured on a treadmill in a robust Brazilian sample and can be used as an alternative for the real functional evaluation of physically and healthy individuals stratified by age and sex.