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Maximal Aerobic Capacity Testing of Older Adults: A Critical Review

School of Physical Therapy, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.

Address correspondence to Dr. Tom Overend, School of Physical Therapy, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6G 1H1. E-mail: toverend{at}uwo.ca

Most of the data that describe maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2max) and the requirements for its attainment have been developed using young adults as subjects. Many older adults are unable to satisfactorily complete a maximal exercise effort in a standard exercise stress test. This review describes exercise tests currently available to measure VO_2max in older adults. PubMed and CINAHL databases were searched for studies including healthy individuals older than 65 years with reproducible descriptions of the testing protocol. The research on VO_2max testing in healthy individuals older than 65 years is limited, does not describe the protocols in detail, and/or lacks information on the psychometric properties of the exercise tests. There is a need for refinement of the few existing protocols for testing aerobic capacity in older adults, as well as the development of new protocols specifically applicable to older adults. Consensus on the criteria defining VO_2max attainment during exercise in older adults is required, as well as agreement on the most appropriate exercise protocols and equipment, specific to older adults, to successfully fulfil these criteria.

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