MEDICINA SPORTIVA - Journal of Romanian Sports Medicine Society

Validation of nonexercise equation using international physical activity questionnaire to predict VO_2max in Indian adults

The addition of important covariates with known associations with cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and/or physical activity (PA) is common in the development of VO2max estimation equations that incorporate measures of PA.
The purpose of this study was to validate the nonexercise equation using International Physical Activity Questionnaire – short form (IPAQ – S) to calculate VO_2max in Indian adults.
Material and Methods. Seventy participants (38 males and 32 females), aged 18 – 35yrs. successfully completed a maximal graded exercise test (GXT) to assess VO_2max. The nonexercise data includes the participant’s age, gender, total and vigorous physical activity using (IPAQ – S).
Results. The VO_2max obtained by nonexercise equation using IPAQ-S was significantly associated with recorded VO_2max in both males (R = 0.476, SEE = 0.5 ml.kg^-1.min^-1, %SEE = 1.08) and females (R = 0.314, SEE = 0.522 ml.kg^-1.min^-1, %SEE = 1.36).
Conclusion. This study supports nonexercise equation using IPAQ-S scores that yields relatively accurate results and is a convenient way to predict VO_2max in Indian adults.