Nonexercise prediction equation for oxygen uptake at anaerobic threshold in Chinese patients with cardiovascular disease

Eur J Appl Physiol. 2026 Aug 3. doi: 10.1007/s00421-026-06262-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Oxygen uptake at anaerobic threshold (VO₂AT) is an important indicator for guiding cardiovascular disease (CVD) rehabilitation training and evaluating cardiac function, which varies according to race and specific disease conditions. However, there is no well-established nonexercise prediction equation for VO₂AT.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to develop a nonexercise predictive equation for VO₂AT that is applicable to Chinese patients with CVD.

METHODS: A cohort was established with 22,336 cases of cardiopulmonary exercise testing data from CVD patients across 20 hospitals in China. Approximately 70% of the samples (n = 15,635) were used for development of prediction equation, and the remaining 30% (n = 6701) were selected for equation validation. The CVD equation for VO₂AT was developed using a multivariate forward stepwise regression analysis. In validation group, the stability and accuracy of VO₂AT equation were evaluated.

RESULTS: The prediction equation is as follows: VO₂AT (mL/min) = 314.748 - (3.887 × age [years]) + (85.933*sex [male = 1; female = 0]) + (1.085 × height [cm]) + (7.790 × weight [kg]) + (17.808 × stable angina [yes=1, no=0]) - (85.469 × percutaneous coronary intervention [yes=1, no=0]) - (112.64 × myocardial infarction [yes=1, no=0]) - (159.730 × heart failure [yes=1, no=0]). The standard error of the estimate = 264 mL/min; R = 0.71; and adjusted R²= 0.51. The VO2AT values predicted by the equation for subgroups were consistent with their corresponding measured values.

CONCLUSIONS: This study presents the first nonexercise VO₂AT prediction equation for Chinese CVD patients, offering a new tool for cardiac rehabilitation and potential risk stratification.

PMID:42545474 | DOI:10.1007/s00421-026-06262-1