a b s t r a c t
Background: The responses of heart rate (HR) and blood pressure to the ramp exercise test are not known
and the current understanding of peak oxygen uptake and anaerobic threshold (AT) values in the normal
Japanese population is insufficient.
Methods and results: A total of 749 healthy Japanese subjects aged 20–78 years underwent a cardiopulmonary
exercise test using a cycle ergometer or treadmill ergometer with ramp protocols. HR, systolic
blood pressure (SBP), and oxygen uptake (˙VO2 ) at rest, at AT, and at peak exercise were determined. HR
and SBP at peak exercise in a cycle ergometer and treadmill ergometer test decreased with age. Work rate
at peak exercise in a cycle ergometer increased with body weight and decreased with age. ˙VO2/weight at
AT and at peak exercise were higher in treadmill ergometer testing than in cycle ergometer testing, and
were not affected by exercise protocol. Both of these decreased with age.
Conclusions: The normal responses of HR and SBP to ramp exercise testing are reported for the first time.
AT, peak ˙VO2 , and ˙VO2 at each stage are shown for a healthy population. Some of these parameters were
influenced by weight, gender, and age, as well as mode of exercise and the protocol used. These results
provide useful reference values for interpreting the results of cardiopulmonary exercise testing.