Prediction of maximal aerobic capacity in severely burned children

Introduction: Maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂ peak) is an indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness, but requires expensive equipment and a relatively high technical skill level. Purpose: The aim of this study is to provide a formula for estimating VO₂ peak in burned children, using information obtained without expensive equipment. Methods: Children, with ≥40% total surface area burned (TBSA), underwent a modified Bruce treadmill test to assess VO₂ peak at 6 months after injury. We recorded gender, age, %TBSA, %3rd degree burn, height, weight, treadmill time, maximal speed, maximal grade, and peak heart rate, and applied McHenry's select algorithm to extract important independent variables and Robust multiple regression to establish prediction equations. Results: 42 children; 7-17 years old were tested. Robust multiple regression model provided the equation: VO₂ = 10.33 - 0.62 × age (years) + 1.88 × treadmill time (min) + 2.3 (gender; females = 0, males = 1). The correlation between measured and estimated VO₂ peak was R = 0.80. We then validated the equation with a group of 33 burned children, which yielded a correlation between measured and estimated VO₂ peak of R = 0.79. Conclusions: Using only a treadmill and easily gathered information, VO₂ peak can be estimated in children with burns.