Prediction of peak oxygen consumption based on anthropometric, effort and spinal cord injury height variables

Abstract

Introduction: VO2max is the variable that best represents the individual's aerobic fitness, but in populations with limitations, such as spinal cord injury (SCI), VO2peak is commonly used. The estimation of VO2max / peak by equations must include variables that represent the characteristics of the evaluated population. Objective: To develop an equation to predict VO2peak in men with SCI based on anthropometric variables, effort variables and characteristics related to SCI. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 09 men with incomplete high LM and 08 with complete low LM (TETRA and PARA groups, respectively). Cardiorespiratory fitness was investigated through cardiopulmonary exercise testing in an upper limb cycle ergometer. The variables evaluated at peak effort were: VO2peak (L / min), load (w) and heart rate (bpm). Regarding body composition, the following were considered: sum of 4 skinfolds (mm), total body mass (kg) and arm muscle circumference (cm). As a variable related to LM, the level/height of the LM (group) was considered. A multivariate linear regression model with the “Backward” method (SPSS 27.0; alfa = 5%) was made for the prediction of VO2peak. Results: The different groups were similar in terms of age (P = 0.05) and time since LM (P = 0.280), and differed in terms of anthropometric and cardiopulmonary variables, with lower mean values for the TETRA group (all P < 0.05 and effect size rated too large or immense). The analysis resulted in a statistically significant model F (2.14) = 25.25; p<0.001; R2 = 0.783. The tolerance that the model met the collinearity assumption (tolerance value = 0.753). The resulting equation was: VO2peak = 0.134 + 0.256 * group (TETRA = 0; PARA = 1) + 0.014 * peak load (w). By analyzing the standardized Beta coefficients, it was observed that the load (Beta = 0.686) was approximately twice as important as the group (Beta = 0.314) in predicting VO2peak. Conclusion: The load at peak effort and height / LM level were the variables that best predicted the VO2peak in men with ML, while the anthropometric variables are not associated with the VO2peak in the multivariate model.