SPECIAL COMMUV.-.

CATIONS
A Nomogram for Cdcdation
of Aerobic
(Physical Fitness) From P&se Rate
Daring Stlbmaximal
Work

Capacity

P.-O. ASTRAND
AND IRMA
RYHMING.
From the Department
Gymnastiska
Centralinstitutet,
Stockholm, Sweden

pulse
rate

160-

3,O 40. 50
O2 Intake

FIG.

I.

Relationship

60

In per cent
maximum

70
of

the

between pulse rate during

work
and actual oxygen
intake
aerobic capacity.
Left of ordinate,
those of women.
right of ordinate,
the standard
deviation.
(Based on
on 16 female and 17 male subjects

in yO of subjects
pulse rates of men;

Thin lines denote

results
20-30

obtained
(I)
years of age.)

(I)
and Ryhming (2) obtained on healthy, welltrained subjects (50 men and 62 women) show that
the oxygen intake during work could be calculated
from work level within a range of &60/, in twothirds of the subjects. Identical values for mechanical efficiency were obtained for men and women.
These facts are illustrated in figure 3, giving the
mechanical efficiency plotted against the work
metabolism in percentages of the individually
determined aerobic capacity.
According to Ryhming (2) a similar range of 6%

(3).
218

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Wahlund (4) in his investigation of men of various physical fitness (athletes, normal healthy men,
people with heart or respiratory troubles) found a
fairly constant mechanical efficiency when his subjects were working on a bicycle ergometer. Thus
the oxygen intake could be indirectly estimated
from work load within a range of l tS% in twothirds of the cases. The results reported by Astrand

TIMES it is of interest to know the

individuals capacity for muscular work,
e*g*, when selecting people for special
tasks in military serviceor in industrial work, or
when controlling the physical condition of athletes.
Furthermore, a reduction of this capacity is often
the first sign of a disease.
The individuals capacity (or fitness) for heavy
prolonged muscular work will first of all be dependent on the supply of oxygen to the working
muscles. In types of work which engage large
groups of muscles the limiting factor for the maxima1 oxygen intake (aerobic capacity) will probably
be the capacity and regulation of the oxygentransporting system.
A direct measurement of the maximal oxygen
intake can be made (I), but the method is intricate
and can only be applied in a well-equipped laboratory. Furthermore, maximal tests are not advisable
with older individuals
or people with heart or
respiratory diseases. It would be of value to work
out a simple test method giving information about
the subjects aerobic capacity. The work load used
for the test should be a submaximal one. With this
aim Ryhming (2) has suggested a step test. The
result of this and other investigations (see below)
will here be summarized in a nomogram for calculation of aerobic capacity.
When undertaking
muscular activity of such
severity that the demand for oxygen intake was
50% of the individuals maximal oxygen intake, the
heart rate after about 6 minutes work for a group
of healthy male subjects averaged 128. The corresponding heart rate for female subjects was 138
(I).
When the subjects worked with a heavier
load, thus demanding an oxygen intake of 70% of
their aerobic capacity, the average heart rate was
154 for males and 164 for females. The standard
deviation
(6) was 8-9 beats/min. These results are
illustrated in figure I.
Based on figure I the nomogram1 shown in figure
2 has been worked out. With information about the
heart rate and oxygen intake during a submaximal
work the subjects aerobic capacity could be calculated.
ANY

Received for publication

March
5, 1954.
1 A preliminary
report was given by Astrand

Physiology,

of

September

1954

PHYSICAL
body

weight
step
tjst
"33 30 oxygen
crffcrd
intake
9
40;

pulse
rate
maximat
oxygen
intake

d*l?
170

1.0
I/min
t 1.1

FITNESS

work

18V81
T UJg
: him/

NOMOGRAM
m. 8.
peqcent
28
3
24
.a
0
20,

219

I
00

0
0.0
l

a0'

i l et l ;

l =6OOkgm/m(n

I o-900

Oao
88= 0

II

I
Q

158.4

68

. 900 kgwp
0*1200
-=-

150*460

qintake

142*-152
1384418
13L~drS1
130-440
126436

60
in per

cent

70
of the maximum

a0

3. Mechanical efficiency (m.e.) when cycling

related to work metabolism

expressed in 70 of subjects
maximal
02 intake. Calculations
are made from results
of previous
investigations
(I). Note a) the small difference between the values of men (below) and women,
and b) the fairly
small scattering
of the individual
values (a = 5.9% for women
and 4.6% for men).
Energy was probably
delivered
aerobically
even at the
higher rates of work.

CYCLE TEST

.-c

122q432
-428
a-l24
a-l20

FIG. 2. Nomogram
for calculation
of aerobic capacity from values of pulse rate and 02 intake during
a work test with submaximal
rate of work (cycle test,
treadmill or step test). In experiments
where 02 intake
is not determined
it can be estimated
by reading
horizontally
from the body weight scale (step test) or
work level scale (cycle test) to the 02 intake scale.

was found when the oxygen intake was calculated

from the work done when the subjects performed a
modified step test (bench height was 40 cm for
men, 33 cm for women; 22.5 steps were done per
minute). Performed work was calculated from body
weight, bench height and a constant mechanical
efficiency.
Based on the findings in the experiments
mentioned, scales have been included in the
nomogram giving work levels (cycle test) and body
weights (step test). By reading horizontally from
those scales to the scale with 02 intake a conception of the actual energy output can be obtained.
E.g., work on the bicycle ergometer with a severity
of 800 kg m/min or a step test for a male subject
with a body weight of 62.0 kg (female subject 76.0

determined

maximal

d, intake

l/min

4. Maximal
oxygen
intake
calculated
from
nomogram
in relation
to the direct determined
maximum. Calculation
was made from the recorded figures
for pulse rate and oxygen intake during cycling. Broken
lines denote a deviation
of &IO~~ from the ideal line.
FIG.

kg) corresponds to an oxygen intake of about 1.91

l/min. With a heart rate of 138 (for a female subject 148) attained during the work, the calculated
maximal oxygen intake of the subject should be
3.3 l/min.
In figure 4 the aerobic capacity calculated from
the nomogram is plotted against the actually
determined aerobic capacity. The figure includes
values obtained on 27 male and 3 I female welltrained subjects 20-30 years of age, whose maximal
oxygen intake was determined in maximal tests on
The
the treadmill
or bicycle ergometer (I).
nomogram is mainly based on these results. The
submaximal test was a cycle test (900 kg m/min

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116a.156

FIG.

0
0

in
50

154.4 61

O@

20,

0 a-

166-b
162d4 72

~
3

---I

0
0
0
0" O00 * OS,,

P.-O. ASTRAND

220

AND IRMA

for women, 1200 for men) where the O2 intake was

determined. A statistical analysis of the values in
figure 4 gives a mean difference of 0.023 ~fr 0.059
(females 0.010
=t 0.051)
liters O2 per minute beTABLE
I. ERROR
OF METHODS
INTAKEISCALCULATEDFROMNOMOGRAMAS
WITH DIRECTLY
DETERMINED
Max.

Deter.

900

kg m/m&.

M 1 4.11

Cycling,

Error,
%

From
nomogram

1 4.07

1 ~141

=t

.083

0.43

10.4

1 -23

-59

0.28

6.7

I *I37

-77

0.42

14.4

It

.og

0.27

9.4

zt

.066

0.28

6.8

0.23

54

0.30

7.3

0.29

9.5

IZOO kg m/min.

22, M

I 4.15

Cycling,

I 4.17

600 kg m/min.

31, F

I 2.87

Cycling,

I 3.00

900 kg m/min.*

29, F

I 2.91

2.92

.OIO

Step testt
1% M

1 4.03
I 4.03
I .006
IO km/hr.,
I' uphill

Running,
17, M

1 4.07
Calc.
step
test

Cycling,
28, M
Cycling,
31, F

1 4-s

Volume

tween the determined and the calculated maximal

02 intake. For two-thirds of the cases the difference
(standard d eviation) will be less than 6.7% for men
and 9.4% for women (table I). With a lower rate
of work, 600 and 900 kg m/min for women and
men respectively, the standard deviation was
higher, 14.4a/~ for women and 10.40/~ for men.
A second control of the validity of the nomogram
is given by figure 5. For 18 well-trained male subjects, 18-19 years of age, the maximal O2 intake was
determined (5). Additional tests were done, such
as a step test on a ho-cm bench, frequency 22.5
steps/min, and running on a treadmill set at an
angle of IO. The speed was IO km/hr. The values for
02 intake and heart rate during these submaximal
tests were used for calculations of the subjects
aerobic capacity. The mean difference between the
calculated and determined maximal O2 intake was
0.006 =t 0.066 l/min in the step test, and 0.020
h
0.058 l/min in the treadmill test. The standard
deviation was less than 7yo (table I).
For 31 female and 28 male subjects 20-30 years

1 *020

Calc.
cycle
test

900 kg m/m&.
I 4.09
1 4.12
600 kg m/min.

I .025

1 3.05

1 .003

1 3.05

and step test$

=J= .057

and step test$

&

.052

* Fig. 4.

t Fig. 5.
$ Fig. 6
Two experiments
are included where the maximum
was calculated
from a step test or a cycle test. (d =
mean of difference,
E;I = standard
error of the mean of
differences,
& = standard
deviation
of the individual
differences between variables.)

running

10 km/hr

2
calculated

3
maximal
CYCLE

4
0, intake
T&T

l/min

FIG. 6. Relationship
between
maximal
oxygen
intake calculated
from the results obtained
from a step
test and those from a cycle test. For further
details,
see text, fig. 4.
TABLE
2. BODY WEIGHT
AND HEIGHT
AND MAXIMAL
INTAKE
(AEROBIC
CAPACITY)
0~ HEALTHY,
WELLTRAINED
SUBJECTS
20-30
YEms
om
(I)
No.,
Sex
449 F

determined maximal 0, intake

FIG. 5. For text, see fig. 4. The
test and a treadmill
test.

tests

were

ymin
a step

42, M

Values
range.

Body
Weight,
kg
60.3 h 0.0
(48.9-7~7)
70.4 & 1.0
(58.0-82.8)

are means

Maximal
Height,

02 Intake

cm
l/min.

165.8 -f= 0.8

(155.6-176.0)
176.7 h 1.0
(164.7-188.7)

3~2,;

o2

range,

2.90
ZJZ0.04
(2.40-3.40)
4.11 =t 0.06
(3.37-4.85)

in parentheses,

ml/kg/min.
48.4 =t 0.5
(42.0-54.8)
58.6 =t 0.7
(50.4-66.8)
2 X 6 = 95%

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27,

MAXIMAL
02
COMPARED
MAXIMUM

02 Intake,
l/min.

No., Sex -

Cycling,

WHEN

RYHMING

September 1954

PHYSICAL

FITNESS

of age, the maximal oxygen intake was calculated

from a) the heart rate and 02 intake when doing a
cycle test (600 and 900 kg m/min), and b) the
heart rate and 02 intake when doing the mentioned
step test (methods and subjects are described by
Ryhming, ref. 2). These two values for maximal
O2 intake were compared, and the mean difference
between the means was 0.003 rt 0.052 l/min for
the women and 0.025 =t 0.057 for the men. The
standard deviation was 9.5 and 7.3% respectively.
These results are illustrated by figure 6 and table I.
DISCUSSION

221

events calling for endurance, e.g., running and

skiiing, are characterized by a very high figure for
(I, 6, 7).
maximal oxygen intake/kg/min
On the other hand, when testing a subject for a
job of a fixed demand for oxygen intake, e.g., in
industrial work, his aerobic capacity is decisive. It
is suggested that the metabolism during a job
involving large groups of muscles should not exceed
507~ of the individuals aerobic capacity (I, 8).
It should be emphasized that the nomogram is
based on results from experiments with healthy
subjects 18-30
years of age. We do not know its
validity when testing younger or older people or
patients with diseases in the oxygen-transporting
system. Therefore, results obtained from tests
with those categories must be evaluated with
special criticism. Experience combined with further
research should decide upon the application of the
nomogram and interpretation
of the results.
As stated above, in normal conditions the heart
rate during work is determined by the metabolism.
However, in a hot climate, when dehydrated, when
exposed to hypoxia, the subject will attain a higher
heart rate when performing work of a given intensity as compared with normalcy. Applying the
nomogram would give a measure of the reduction
in his aerobic capacity induced by the extra load on
circulation.
SUMMARY

A nomogram is presented where an individuals

maximal
attainable
oxygen
intake
(aerobic
capacity) can be calculated from heart rate and
oxygen intake (or work level) reached during a test
with a submaximal rate of work. As test work a step
test, treadmill test or cycle test can be chosen. It is
suggested that the individuals aerobic capacity
per kilogram body weight per minute will give a
good measure of his physical fitness. Values for
healthy, well-trained men and women 20-30 years
Oi age are presented.
REFERENCES
I.

2.

340
50
6.

ASTRAND, P.-O. Experimental

Studies
of Physical
Working
Capacity
in Relation to Sex and Age. Copenhagen: Munksgaard, 1952.
RYHMING, I. Arbeitsphysiologie
15: 235, 1953.
ASTRAND, P.-O. Meddelanden
jr&
Flyg-och Navalmedicinska Ntimnden 4: 16, 1953.
WAHLUND, H. Acta med. scandinav. Suppl. 215, 1948.
ASTRAND, P.-O. Arbeitsphysiologie
15: 251, 1953.
ROBINSON,
S., H. T. EDWARDS AND D. B. DILL.

Science
85: 409, 1937.
E. H. AND P. H~GBERG. Arbeits7* CHRISTENSEN,
physiologie 14: 292, 1950.
8. CHRISTENSEN,
E. H. In: Symposium
on Fatigue,

(Ergonomics Research Society). London : Lewis,

1953,

PP* 93-108.

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When testing circulatory-respiratory

fitness, a
type of work must be chosen which engages large
groups of muscles and the work level must be relatively high. The duration of work must be long
enough to permit the adjustment of circulation and
ventilation to the level of exercise. The abovementioned results are derived from a single work
test with the subject stepping up and down a
bench, cycling on a bicycle ergometer, or running
on a treadmill. The duration of work was 5-6
minutes and the determinations of oxygen intake,
etc., were done during the last minute. It was
found that a test with a submaximal work level
could give good information about the subjects
aerobic capacity. The best results were obtained
when the test work was of such a severity that the
heart rate during steady state attained a level somewhere between 125 and 170. Within these limits
there is normally an almost linear increase in metabolism with heart rate. For the examined subjects,
the maximal heart rate reached during exhausting
work was about 195 (6 = IO). This means that the
slope of a heart rate-oxygen intake curve is determined by the subjects aerobic capacity. We do not
know whether there is a linear relationship between
the cardiac output and the oxygen intake, nor the
variations of stroke volume and arterio-venous 02
difference as the stress on the circulation increases
with heavier work load. Consequently, the physiological explanation of the findings of a high correlation between the heart rate when performing submaximal work and the maximal oxygen intake is
far from obvious.
Table 2 gives values for maximal oxygen intake
(l/min and ml/kg/min)
for healthy, well-trained
men and women. The maximal oxygen intake
probably varies with the muscular mass, and the
ratio of muscular mass to body weight should in
many instances be an important factor in determining the individuals capacity for hard work.
Thus, the maximal oxygen per kilogram body
weight will give a good conception of physical
fitness. Athletes famous for their good results in

NOMOGRAM