The validity of maximal oxygen consumption measurement for self-made wheelchair-driven exercise testing system

Maximal oxygen consumption is the most effective index in cardiopulmonary endurance when performed exercise test. The purpose of this study was assessed the validity in maximal oxygen consumption of self-made wheelchair-driven exercise testing system. A crossover design was applied in this study. Eight healthy collegiate males were recruited to join this study (mean height: 171.5±4.8 cm; mean weight: 70.6±8.7 kg; mean age: 20.1±0.8 y/o) and received the measurement of maximal oxygen consumption in exercise test by traditional bicycle ergo meter and self-made wheelchair-driven exercise testing system. The result was showed that the correlation coefficient between two equipments is 0.718 (p<.05) and it reflected highly correlation between 2 exercise test system. Although the self-made wheelchair-driven exercise testing system was proved the strong correlation with traditional bicycle ergo meter, but it only could applied the results for healthy subjects. Further research could recruit subjects with disable or wheelchair- depended and discuss whether it's appropriate or not.