Cardiorespiratory Fitness Measured with Exercise Tolerance Testing of Healthy Bangladeshi Adults – An Observational Study

Abstract

Background: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is a powerful predictor of outcome in health and diseases, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). CRF shows significant racial variation, and for this, region- and county-specific normative values are needed. The study was done to determine the CRF of healthy Bangladeshi adults.      

Methods: In this prospective observational study involving 240 men and 70 women, CRF was assessed by symptom-limited exercise tolerance testing (ETT), maximal exercise capacity was determined and expressed in metabolic equivalents (METs), maximal oxygen consumption (V̇O₂ max) was calculated and compared with the previously published data. Apparently healthy men and women aged >18 years without significant disease and with negative ETT test results were included. Those with significant illness, including cardiac, respiratory or rheumatological, those on drugs having potential effect on chronotropic or haemodynamic response were excluded.

Results:  The mean exercise capacity of men and women was 11.56±6.21 and 9.01±1.61 METs, respectively. The METs and estimated V̇O₂ max decreased with age in both sexes. Overall, the Bangladeshi men and women had lower maximal exercise capacity than the Western people, almost similar exercise capacity compared to the Koreans, and higher exercise capacity than the Indians.

Conclusion: CRF of Bangladeshi healthy subjects should be validated by larger studies and national registry. Future assessment of CRF should be based on cardiopulmonary exercise testing. 

Cardiovasc j 2024; 17(1): 12-17