Roughly 23% of Colombian population live at moderate altitude (>2500 m above sea level) and is exposed to 28% lower inspired oxygen pressure that affects oxygen delivery and utilization systems. Maximal heart rate (HRmax), maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), and maximal work rate (Wmax) during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) are key parameters for diagnostic and exercise prescription purposes, the last two of them have been reported to be about 10% lower in moderate hypobaric hypoxia. Predictive equations for VO2max, HRmax and Wmax have been developed mainly from sea-level populations. PURPOSE: To evaluate the published predictive equations for VO2max, HRmax and Wmax in healthy young residents in moderate altitude. METHODS: VO2max, HRmax and Wmax were measured during maximal ramp cycle ergometer CPET in 136 healthy subjects (62 females) 18-25 years old, born and raised at >2.500 m and living at 2600 m. From a systematic search on Medline and Embase databases 22 studies (71 predictive equations) with similar population (healthy, age group), CPET protocols (incremental/ramp maximal cycle ergometer test) and measured parameters (VO2max, HRmax, Wmax) were selected; all studies were conducted at low altitude. Normal distribution was tested by Shapiro-Wilk test and mean differences between direct measurements and estimated values were compared by paired T-Student test (alpha error = 0.05). Estimated values with no significant mean difference from direct measurements were further assessed by Pearson product-moment correlations. RESULTS: Most real and estimated mean values were significantly different for VO2 (male 19/21, female 16/19) and Wmax (male 7/8, female 6/9); for HRmax, significant differences were found in approximately half of them (male 3/8, female 6/9); of the remaining equations only one exhibited a strong correlation with direct values for VO2max in females (r=0.89, p<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: In general, available predictive equations do not accurately estimate VO2max, Wmax or HRmax in a young, healthy Colombian population born and raised at moderate altitude. Differences in population characteristics (adaptation to hypobaric hypoxia, anthropometric differences, training level) can partially explain these results. Supported by COLCIENCIAS grant number 120356934972, 713-2013.