ORIGINAL PAPER
Assessing peak aerobic capacity in Dutch law enforcement officers
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1
Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, Utrecht, The Netherlands (Faculty of Health Care, Lifestyle and Health Research Group)
 
2
University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands (Child Development and Exercise Center, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital)
 
3
University of Groningen, The Netherlands (Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, Center for Rehabilitation)
 
4
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Research Center)
 
 
Corresponding author
Harriet Wittink   

Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health Care, Chair Lifestyle and Health Research Group, Bolognalaan 101, 3583 CJ Utrecht, The Netherlands
 
 
Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2015;28(3):519-31
 
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ABSTRACT
Objectives: To cross-validate the existing peak rate of oxygen consumption (VO2peak) prediction equations in Dutch law enforcement officers and to determine whether these prediction equations can be used to predict VO2peak for groups and in a single individual. A further objective was to report normative absolute and relative VO2peak values of a sample of law enforcement officers in the Netherlands. Material and Methods: The peak rate of oxygen consumption (ml×kg–1×min–1) was measured using a maximal incremental bicycle test in 1530 subjects, including 1068 male and 461 female police officers. Validity of the prediction equations for groups was assessed by comparing predicted VO2peak with measured VO2peak using paired t-tests. For individual differences limits of agreement (LoA) were calculated. Equations were considered valid for individuals when the difference between measured and predicted VO2peak did not exceed ±1 metabolic equivalent (MET) in 95% of individuals. Results: None of the equations met the validity criterion of 95% of individuals having ±1 MET difference or less than the measured value. Limits of agreement (LoAs) were large in all predictions. At the individual level, none of the equations were valid predictors of VO2peak (ml×kg–1×min–1). Normative values for Dutch law enforcement officers were presented. Conclusions: Substantial differences between measured and predicted VO2peak (ml×kg–1×min–1) were found. Most tested equations were invalid predictors of VO2peak at group level and all were invalid at individual levels.
eISSN:1896-494X
ISSN:1232-1087
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