BACKGROUND: Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) is an important predictor for cardiovascular health. VO2max is often calculated using submaximal tests in clinic. Ekblom-Bak (EB-test) test is a new submaximal cycle ergometer test for calculating VO2max based on differences in heart frequency between two different workloads. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to examine the correlation and agreement between the two methods for calculating VO2max; Åstrand cycle test (Å-test) and EB-test. A secondary aim was also to examine VO2max of physiotherapy students in Uppsala. METHODS: The study design was descriptive and comparative. 30 subjects aged 20-30 were recruited by convenience sampling. Both tests were performed during the same session. Agreement and correlation between the two tests was calculated through paired t-tests and Pearson’s correlation coefficients respectively. RESULTS: Calculated VO2max for the subjects was on average 3.65 L/min, 52.03 ml/kg/min (EB-test) and 3.38 L/min, 47.97 ml/kg/min (Å-test). The differences between the two tests were statistically significant for both L/min (p = 0.01) and ml/kg/min (p = 0.009). The correlation between the two tests was r = 0.76 (L/min) and r = 0.59 (ml/kg/min) respectively. CONCLUSION: This study shows a statistically significant difference between the two submaximal cycle ergometer tests for calculating VO2max. The difference between the two tests is clinically significant and should be considered upon use. Both tests should be used consistently upon evaluating different treatments. Further research in the area is needed.

Syfte och frågeställningar Syftet med den här studien har varit att undersöka och jämföra kvinnor och män i åldersgrupperna 30-39 år respektive 40-49 år avseende antropometriska mått samt prestation på GIH:s hälsotester. En vidare målsättning var att undersöka om det förekom några skillnader mellan två separata testtillfällen. Frågeställningarna har varit om resultaten på hälsotesterna skiljer sig mellan könen, åldersgrupperna samt mellan två separata testtillfällen. Metod Totalt fullföljde 41 deltagare GIH:s hälsotester, av dem var 20 kvinnor och 21 män mellan 30-49 år. Det enda som krävdes för att delta var att man uppfattade sig själv som frisk. Personer som tidigare haft stroke, hjärtinfarkt eller opererats på grund av hjärtproblem har inte inkluderats, ej heller gravida och personer med ledbesvär. Testerna utfördes på LTIV (Laboratoriet för tillämpad idrottsvetenskap) mellan februari och mars 2016. Resultat Signifikanta skillnader mellan de två separata testtillfällena noterades för några av styrketesterna framför allt hos männen: axelpressar, handgrip och stolresningar. Mellan könen sågs signifikanta skillnader i de antropometriska måtten, samt i flera konditions- och styrketester. Bland dessa kunde signifikant högre värden ses för kvinnorna än för männen i ryggstyrketestet.  Signifikanta skillnader mellan åldersgrupperna 30-39 år och 40-49 år sågs näst intill endast för kvinnor. De yngre jämfört med de äldre kvinnorna presterade bättre i flera av testerna, de vägde mindre och hade mindre kroppsmått. Slutsats Det framkom vanligtvis inte några signifikanta skillnader mellan det första och andra testtillfället, med enstaka undantag. När så är fallet behövs bara ett test utföras initialt inför en period med exempelvis fysisk aktivitet som senare kanske ska följas upp med ett återtest. Skillnader mellan könen och olika åldersgrupper framkom i vissa tester men inte i alla. Resultaten i denna studie beror bland annat på urvalet av individer. Eftersom att syftet med den här studien har varit att endast utföra de tester som ingår i GIH:s hälsotester har inga tester lagts till eller exkluderats. I arbetet diskuteras bland annat hur optimala testerna är som ett mått på hälsa. För att effektivisera hälsotestundersökningar framöver behöver nödvändigtvis inte alla tester utföras.

Background: Cheap and effective tools for measuring patients’ physical activity (PA) level are needed. The first aim in this thesis was therefore to assess the validity of two PA -questions, and their three associated answer modes, that are used within the Swedish health care system. Sitting, light intensity PA (LIPA), and moderate and vigorous intensity PA (MVPA), are associated with health and longevity, but detailed population data assessed with objective methods is needed. The second aim was thus to assess the above with motion sensor technology, in a middle-aged Swedish sample. Low self-perceived health is a strong predictor of morbidity and mortality, but this association may vary over time with changes in the society and our lifestyle. The third aim was to assess secular trends in the interrelations between self-perceived health, physical fitness, and selected covariates. The effects of PA on prescription (PAP) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in overweight adults are unclear, thus the fourth aim was to explore this. Methods: All data was collected in the Swedish population. Data from the PA -questions and accelerometers, aerobic fitness, counter movement jump, and balance tests, blood samples, and self-rated general health were collected in 365 participants, 21–66 yrs. The PA pattern was assessed in 948 individuals, 50‒64 yrs, from the SCAPIS pilot study. Self-perceived physical health, and measured aerobic fitness, counter movement jump height, and balance, and demographic and lifestyle data, was assessed in three independent samples from 1990, 2000 and 2013, including 3564 adults, 20‒65 yrs. The effects of Swedish PAP on HRQoL was assessed in a randomized controlled trial including 101 men and women, 67‒68 yrs, that were inactive, overweight (BMI>25 kg/m2), and had a waist circumference ≥102 cm (men) or ≥88 cm (women), who were randomized to an intervention group or a control group. The 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to assess HRQoL. Results: The multiple choice answer mode of the two PA -questions was found to have the strongest validity, compared with the two other (an open mode, and one where PA minutes is specified per weekday). The validity is in line with many other established PA-questionnaires, but the open mode has limitations. The assessment of PA pattern showed that 61% of motion sensor wear time represented sitting, 35% LIPA, and 4% MVPA. Only 7% of the sample met the PA recommendations. The odds for describing perceived health as good was found to increase by 5% per each increment of 1 ml/kg/min in VO2max. This was stable across genders and all three LIV-samples (i.e. over time). Waist circumference, chronic disease, sleep problems, and level of satisfaction with one’s life, were also important correlates. The Swedish PAP group improved significantly more, and more participants displayed clinically relevant improvements (OR 2.43), in mental aspects of HRQoL, compared to the controls. Physical aspects of HRQoL improved in the PAP group, but not in the control group. Conclusions: The multiple choice answer mode has the strongest validity and Open mode the weakest. The PA -questions may be used in populations, or in individuals to determine appropriateness for treatment. The questions’ advantages and limitations must be considered and further reliability and validity studies are needed. The results regarding sitting, LIPA, MVPA and fulfillment of PA recommendations, are of high clinical relevance. A great challenge remains to further implement methods to increase the level of PA in the Swedish population. Physical fitness is related to self-perceived health independently of changes in society and lifestyle over time, and simple questions may be useful for the clinical assessment of physical fitness. Swedish PAP has a positive effect on mental aspects of HRQoL, measured by the SF-36. This finding supports the clinical use of the Swedish PAP model. / LIV 2013