Accurate prediction of cardiorespiratory fitness using cycle ergometry in minimally disabled persons with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the accuracy of predicting peak oxygen consumption (VO(2peak)) primarily from peak work rate (WR(peak)) recorded during a maximal, incremental exercise test on a cycle ergometer among persons with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) who had minimal disability.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Clinical research laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS

Women with RRMS (n=32) and sex-, age-, height-, and weight-matched healthy controls (n=16) completed an incremental exercise test on a cycle ergometer to volitional termination.

INTERVENTION

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Measured and predicted VO(2peak) and WR(peak).

RESULTS

There were strong, statistically significant associations between measured and predicted VO(2peak) in the overall sample (R(2)=.89, standard error of the estimate=127.4 mL/min) and subsamples with (R(2)=.89, standard error of the estimate=131.3 mL/min) and without (R(2)=.85, standard error of the estimate=126.8 mL/min) multiple sclerosis (MS) based on the linear regression analyses. Based on the 95% confidence limits for worst-case errors, the equation predicted VO(2peak) within 10% of its true value in 95 of every 100 subjects with MS.

CONCLUSIONS

Peak VO(2) can be accurately predicted in persons with RRMS who have minimal disability as it is in controls by using established equations and WR(peak) recorded from a maximal, incremental exercise test on a cycle ergometer.