Cardiopulmonary Function Assessment Scores (CPET)

Aerobic Capacity Prediction (METs) Calculator

Clinical calculation support · Verify results before clinical use

Predicted Exercise Capacity

Estimate age- and sex-predicted exercise capacity using the equation selected in the original calculator.

—Predicted METs

Choose the category corresponding to the reference equation being applied.

Adults aged 18–100 years. This is a prediction equation, not a direct measurement of exercise capacity.

About Predicted Exercise Capacity

Metabolic equivalents (METs) express the energy cost of activity; exercise-test capacity is commonly estimated from workload and protocol, while cardiopulmonary exercise testing can measure oxygen uptake more directly. This calculator estimates an age-predicted reference value and does not measure an individual patient's achieved METs or VO₂ peak.

Equation used

Sex categoryEquation
MalePredicted METs = 14.7 − (0.11 × age)
FemalePredicted METs = 14.7 − (0.13 × age)

Clinical context and limitations

  • These equations are population-derived reference estimates and should not be treated as a diagnostic threshold or an individual fitness measurement.
  • Alternative prediction equations exist, particularly for men; estimates can vary by derivation cohort, population, and testing method.
  • Do not infer mortality risk from this predicted value alone. Prognostic interpretation depends on achieved exercise capacity and the wider clinical context.
  • Exercise-test results should be interpreted with symptoms, ECG findings, haemodynamic response, medications, protocol, and the reason for test termination.

References

Gulati M, et al.The prognostic value of a nomogram for exercise capacity in women. New England Journal of Medicine. 2005;353:468–475. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa044154. Article DOI
Association of Exercise Capacity on Treadmill With Future Cardiac Events in Patients Referred for Exercise Testing.Archives of Internal Medicine. 2008. The article describes the equations 14.7 − (0.13 × age) for women and 14.7 − (0.11 × age) for men. Article page
Myers J, et al.External prognostic validations and comparisons of age- and gender-adjusted exercise capacity predictions. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2007;50(19):1862–1868. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2007.08.003. This study compared multiple equations and highlights that prediction models are not interchangeable. Article DOI
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