Purpose Accurate interpretation of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) requires reference values that account for sex, age, and body composition. Existing reference values often lack these distinctions or exclude older adults. This study aimed to establish sex- and age-specific reference values for absolute and relative (body mass-corrected and lean body mass-corrected) CRF parameters derived from cardiopulmonary exercise testing...

Background The maximum oxygen uptake (VO 2 max) during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is considered the best measure of cardiorespiratory fitness. Aim To provide up-to-date reference values for the VO 2 max per kilogram of body mass (VO 2 max/kg) obtained by CPET in the Netherlands and Flanders. Methods The Lowlands Fitness Registry contains data from health checks among different professions and was used for this stu...