Mottola et al developed an equation to predict the maximum oxygen consumption of a pregnant woman during exercise. The authors are from the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario.
Testing protocol: progressive treadmill test of women from 16 to 22 weeks, using a modified Balke protocol to volitional fatigue
Parameters:
(1) body weight in kilograms
(2) height in meters
(3) peak heart rate in beats per minute
(4) percent incline at peak (grade of slope, as a whole number from 0 to 100)
(5) speed in miles per hour (mph)
(6) body mass index (BMI) in kg per square meter
predicted peak oxygen consumption in mL oxygen per kilogram per minute =
= (0.055 * (peak heart rate in beats per minute)) + (0.381 * (percent incline)) + (5.541 * (speed in mph)) - (0.090 * (BMI)) - 6.846
Interpretation:
• The peak oxygen consumption correlates with the woman's fitness level.
Age of the Woman
Peak VO2
Fitness Level
20 - 29 years
<= 21.0 (lowest 25%)
unfit
20 - 29 years
21.1 - 27.1 (mid 50%)
active
20 - 29 years
>= 27.2 (highest 25%)
fit
30 - 39 years
<= 19.6
unfit
30 - 39 years
19.7 - 26.0
active
30 - 39 years
>= 26.1
fit
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