Evaluation of the Interchangeability of and Oxygen Uptake Efficiency Slope

Abstract

A reliable submaximal test for assessing cardiorespiratory function would be of interest in clinical practice. Baba et al. (1996) proposed the oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) derived from the relation between oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text] and minute ventilation [Formula: see text] during incremental exercise. We evaluated the validity of OUES by comparing maximal oxygen uptake [Formula: see text] predicted from OUES to measured [Formula: see text] in 50 healthy males who performed a maximal treadmill test. They had widely differing physical fitness levels ([Formula: see text]range, 32.7 to 80.2 mlO2 ∙ min−1 ∙ kg−1). Predicted [Formula: see text] was not significantly different (p > 0.99) from measured [Formula: see text] (56.8 ± 7.0 vs. 56.8 ± 8.8 mlO2 ∙ min−1 ∙ kg−1). The limits of agreement (Bland & Altman, 1986) were plus or minus 10.5 mlO2 ∙ min−1 ∙ kg−1. Although OUES and [Formula: see text]were significantly correlated (r = 0.79), the wide interindividual variations in the difference between these two parameters may limit the usefulness of OUES in clinical practice. Key Words: exercise, testing, OUES, fitness, agreement