[Assessment of cardiopulmonary functional capacity with ergospirometric parameters at a capacity of 1 w/kg body weight].

A sample of 73 men and 52 women aged 20 to 59 years was examined during a work-out on a bicycle ergometer while in a reclining position in order to assess spiroergometric parameters at a power output of 1 w/kg body weight, in regard to cardiopulmonary efficiency. In the male sample, a useful correlation between the maximum O2-intake against several parameters measured at 1 w/kg was determined, especially against the respiratory equivalent, respiratory minute volume, oxygen pulse, and heart rate. In the female sample, the correlation was particularly evident against oxygen pulse, and, within certain age groups, against heart rate, respiratory equivalent, and respiratory minute volume. The results of a physical working capacity 170 did not yield a more advantageous relation to the maximum O2-intake than to the above mentioned parameters. We found the quotient of O2-intake to the product of heart rate and respiratory minute volume at a load of 1 w/kg to offer by far the most accurate correlation. These results show that the use of suitable spiroergometric parameters at the more clinically feasible 1 w/kg standard load provide useful conclusions to the actual maximum efficiency--all the more so since spirographic parameters can be used concomitantly to determine the heart rate capacity.