Reference values for maximum oxygen uptake relative to body mass in Dutch/Flemish subjects aged 6–65 years: the LowLands Fitness Registry

Abstract

Background: The maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is considered the best measure of cardiorespiratory fitness. Aim: To provide up-to-date reference values for the VO2max per kilogram of body mass (VO2max/kg) obtained by CPET in the Netherlands and Flanders. Methods: The Lowlands Fitness Registry contains data from health checks among different professions and was used for this study. Data from 4612 apparently healthy subjects, 3671 males and 941 females, who performed maximum effort during cycle ergometry were analysed. Reference values for the VO2max/kg and corresponding centile curves were created according to the LMS method. Results: Age had a negative significant effect (p