Prediction equation to estimate heart rate at individual ventilatory threshold in female and male obese adults

Objective
Prescribing individualized moderate exercise intensity is a useful method to reach positive
effects on health status in obese adults. This study aimed to establish a practical reference
equation to estimate the heart rate (HR) at individual ventilatory threshold (IVT) (HRIVT).
Methods
One hundred sixty-one obese subjects were clinically evaluated and characterized by
anthropometric and body composition. Participants performed the six-minute walking test
(6-MWT) and the cardiopulmonary exercise test to assess IVT. Multiple regression analysis
for HRIVT, including 6-MWT, anthropometric, and body composition parameters, as independent
variables, was performed for both gender separately. A cross-validation study was
also performed to determine the accuracy of the prediction equation.
Results
Whereas HRIVT was not significantly different between males (121.5±18.3 bpm) and
females (117.6±17.1 bpm), it differently correlated with physical and performance parameters.
Therefore, two sex-specific equations were developed including 6-MWTHR and HRrest
(R2 = 0.69 and 0.65 and root mean square errors of 8.8 and 10.1 bpm for females and
males, respectively).
Conclusion
In conclusion, in female and male obese adults, the 6-MWT might be used to predict HR at
IVT. These outcomes are useful to prescribe optimal physical activity intensity when gold
standard methods (e.g. gas exchange analysis) are unavailable.