A new submaximal cycle ergometer test for prediction of VO2max
Abstract
Maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2max) is an important, independent predictor of cardiovascular health and mortality. Despite this, it is rarely measured in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to create and evaluate a submaximal cycle ergometry test based on change in heart rate (HR) between a lower standard work rate and an individually chosen higher work rate. In a mixed population (n = 143) with regard to sex (55% women), age (21–65 years), and activity status (inactive to highly active), a model included change in HR per unit change in power, sex, and age for the best estimate of VO 2max. The association between estimated and observed VO 2max for the mixed sample was r = 0.91, standard error of estimate = 0.302 L/min, and mean measured VO 2max = 3.23 L/min. The corresponding coefficient of variation was 9.3%, a significantly improved precision compared with one of the most commonly used submaximal exercise tests, the Å strand test, which in the present study was estimated to be 18.1%. Test–retest reliability analysis over 1 week revealed no mean difference in the estimated VO 2max (−0.02 L/min, 95% confidence interval: −0.07–0.03). The new test is low‐risk, easily administered, and valid for a wide capacity range, and is therefore suitable in situations as health evaluations in the general population.
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The EB-test prediction equation uses the variable ΔHR (difference in HR between high and low work rates).
“This might partly be explained by the use of the variable ΔHR (defined as the difference in HR between the high and low work rates) in the EB-test prediction equation (Ekblom-Bak et al. 2014).”
From Effects of caffeine and acute exercise on the validity of a submaximal cycle ergometer test: a randomised, placebo-controlled crossover study (2026) · cites this paper as Ekblom-Bak et al. 2014
The EB-test has demonstrated good validity across ages and fitness levels, with a coefficient of variation of ~9% and a standard error of the estimate of ~0.25 L·min−1.
“The Ekblom-Bak test (EB-test) is a heart rate (HR) based submaximal cycle test that has demonstrated good validity across ages and fitness levels, with a coefficient of variation of ~ 9% and a standard error of the estimate of ~ 0.25 L min− 1 (Björkman et al. 2016; Ekblom-Bak et al. 2014).”
From Effects of caffeine and acute exercise on the validity of a submaximal cycle ergometer test: a randomised, placebo-controlled crossover study (2026) · cites this paper as Ekblom-Bak et al. 2014
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Ekblom‐Bak, E., Björkman, F., Hellenius, M. ‐., & Ekblom, B.
- Affiliations
- Karolinska University Hospital (SE)
- Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences (SE)
- Department of Medicine Karolinska Institutet Karolinska University Hospital Stockholm Sweden
- Corresponding author
- Ekblom‐Bak, E.
- Venue
- Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2012-11-06
- Volume
- 24
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 319-326
- ISSN
- 0905-7188 (ISSN-L)
- 1600-0838
- OpenAlex
- W1696361779
- Cited by
- 128
- References
- 34
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 2
- FWCI
- 9.34
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
- Keywords
- VO2max prediction, heart rate response, test-retest reliability, cardiovascular health, exercise testing
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aged, Exercise Test, Physical Exertion, Female, Heart Rate, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Models, Cardiovascular, Oxygen Consumption, Physical Fitness, Predictive Value of Tests, Reproducibility of Results, Young Adult, Sedentary Behavior
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