• B Lake.
• Med. J. Aust. 1976 Feb 14; 1 (7): 189-92.

AbstractThree hundred subjects undertook a submaximal bicycle ergometry procedure which was terminated at level 19 on the Borg perceived exertion rating scale. The findings indicated that the total work output was an effective reference criterion for each individual. Age and height were considerably more dominant than weight in affecting this output in both sexes. In women, however, the use of the maximum work load/maximum systolic blood pressure ratio gave the best explanation of variation. A numerical relative fitness ranking derived from the work output was developed to achieve comparison among subjects irrespective of age, height, weight and sex. This categorization revealed, interalia, that the average maximum systolic blood pressure was a major limiting factor in performance. Significant changes characteristic of ischaemia occurred in the electrocardiograms of a substantial proportion of subjects, including the apparently well, the proportion being higher in women than in men. There were definite differences between the ranked work load categories. The relative fitness ranking is of value in assessing a variety of factors affecting performance in heterogeneous populations, and also in following population responses to various procedures.

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