Description:
<jats:p><jats:bold>Objectives: </jats:bold> The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the FEV<jats:sub>1</jats:sub> and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) in healthy adult Chinese subjects, and to determine the validity of existing prediction equations of MVV for use in the Chinese population.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Methodology: </jats:bold> Ninety‐five healthy subjects (48 male and 47 female) stratified into five age groups (from 20 to 70 years) for both sexes were recruited from the general population. The FEV<jats:sub>1</jats:sub> and MVV of these subjects were measured with a clinical spirometer. The MVV was determined using the closed‐circuit technique. The MVV was assessed for 12 s and values were calculated to obtain L/min. Multiple regression analysis was used to develop equations to predict MVV with age, height, FEV<jats:sub>1</jats:sub> as well as with FEV<jats:sub>1</jats:sub> alone as predictor variables. One‐sample <jats:italic>t</jats:italic>‐tests were used to compare the actual values of MVV for the subjects with their predicted values using equations from previous studies of MVV in healthy subjects.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Results: </jats:bold> Using FEV<jats:sub>1</jats:sub> only, the following predictive equation was obtained: MVV = FEV<jats:sub>1</jats:sub> × 45.12 − 15.85 (adjusted <jats:italic>r</jats:italic><jats:sup>2</jats:sup> = 0.792). Predicted MVV values using previously cited equations, including MVV = FEV<jats:sub>1</jats:sub> × 35 or 40, were all significantly different from the actual MVV values of these subjects.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Conclusions: </jats:bold> The relationship between MVV and FEV<jats:sub>1</jats:sub> among healthy adult Chinese subjects is described. Previously cited equations describing the relationship between FEV<jats:sub>1</jats:sub> and MVV cannot be applied to healthy adult Chinese subjects.</jats:p>