Prediction of upper extremity peak oxygen consumption from heart rate during submaximal arm cycling in young and middle-aged adults

Based on the strong linear relationship between heart rate (HR) and oxygen consumption, the Åstrand–Ryhming cycle ergometer test (Astrand and Ryhming in J Appl Physiol 7:218–221, 1954) is a widely used submaximal test to predict whole body maximal oxygen consumption (\(\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2\!\max }\)). However, a similar test predicting peak oxygen consumption (\(\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{{2{\text{peak}}}}\)) in the upper extremities is not established, and may be very useful for individuals unable to use their lower extremities or/and if separation of upper extremity aerobic capacity is sought after. Thus, the aim of the current study was to develop a submaximal test predicting \(\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{{2{\text{peak}}}}\) in arm-cycling. Forty-nine healthy volunteers (25 women: 38 ± 13 years; 24 men: 39 ± 12 years) tested arm-cycle \(\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{{2{\text{peak}}}}\) on a protocol with 4-min, 21-W increments to exhaustion. The data were contrasted to treadmill \(\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2\!\max }\) values. Arm-cycle \(\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{{2{\text{peak}}}}\) was 66 ± 8% of \(\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2\!\max }\) (r = 0.92, p < 0.001; women: 1.9 ± 0.4 L min⁻¹; men: 3.0 ± 0.7 L min⁻¹). Arm-cycle HR and \(\% \dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}\) exhibited correlations of r = 0.79 and r = 0.78 for women and men, respectively, while corresponding correlations between work rate and \(\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}\) were r = 0.95 (women) and r = 0.89 (men) (all p < 0.001). Arm-cycle \(\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{{2{\text{peak}}}}\) prediction revealed a standard error of estimate (SEE) of 11.2% (women) and 10.2% (men), and was primarily due to individual arm-cycle maximal HR (women: 173 ± 13 beats min⁻¹; men: 174 ± 10 beats min⁻¹; correction factor: 5–7%). In conclusion, from a single 4-min stage of submaximal arm cycling, \(\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{{2{\text{peak}}}}\) can be predicted with a SEE of 10–11%. The arm-cycle test may have important value for individuals who rely on arms in sports and occupations, and for patients with lower extremity disabilities.