Norm-Referenced and Criterion-Referenced Validity of the One-Mile Run and PACER in College Age Individuals

Abstract

The first purpose of this study was to determine the norm-referenced predictive validity of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2) max estimated from the progressive aerobic cardiovascular endurance run (PACER, FITNESSGRAM®; Cooper Institute for Aerobic Research, Dallas, TX) performance by 3 separate formulas: the Leger, Mercier, Gadoury, and Lambert (1988) 8- to 19-year-old equation; the Leger et al. adult equation; and the Ramsbottom, Brewer, and Williams (1988) equation. Norm-referenced intraclass stability reliability coefficients (n = 19) were determined to be .96 for PACER and estimated VO2 max values. Only the VO2 max values estimated from the Leger et al. adult equation (47.29 ± 7.02 vs. 50.45 ± 8.01 rnL · kg-1 · min-1 measured; p < .0001) were shown to be valid (r = .82; standard error of estimate [SEE] = 4.59; Error = 5.58; percentage of participants whose measured VO2 max fell within ± 4.5 mL · kg-1 · min-1 of estimated VO2 max = 59.7; N = 60 female participants ± 59 male participants). The second purpose was to cross-validate the Cureton, Sloninger, O'Bannon, Black, and McCormack (1995) equation for the estimation of VO2 max from the one-mile run (1-MR). The results (estimated VO2 max = 48.06 ± 6.57 vs. 50.45 ± 8.01 rnL · kg-1 · min-1 measured; p < .0001; r= .82; SEE = 4.53; Error = 5.27; percentage = 61.7; N = 50 female ± 44 male participants) indicated a norm-referencedpredictive validity similar to the Leger et al. adult PACER equation. There was no significant difference between the VO2max estimated by the Leger et al. 8- to 19-year-old and the Cureton et al. equations. Correlations between 1-MR time and measured VO2 max (r = .78) and PACER laps and measured 90, maw (r = 33) supported norm-referenced concurrent validity in this population. The third purpose was to determine the criterion-referenced reliability and validity of the PACER and 1-MR. Criterion-referenced reliability indicated a proportion of agreement (P) of .95 and a modified Kappa (K) of .90 for PACER laps and estimated VO2 max. A .88 proportion of correct classification decisions (c) with a phi coefficient (ϕ) of .08 was determined for criterion-referenced validity of the Leger et al. adult equation. Comparable validity coefficients for the Cureton et al. equation were c = .97 and ϕ = .65. Criterion-referenced equivalence reliability (P) was .90 with a Kq of .80 for the 1-MR and PACER. It was concluded that (a) the Leger et al. (1988) adult equation is the preferred equation to use to estimate VO2 max from PACER scores for college aged individuals; (b) the Cureton et al. (1995) equation is valid for estimating VO2 max in college students from the 1-MR; and (c) the FITNESSGRAM® (Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research, 1992) criterion-referenced standards using data from the Cureton et al. and Leger et al. adult equations were both reliable and valid in this population. The 1-MR and the PACER may be used interchangeably in this age group to assess cardiovascular fitness either from performance scores or estimated VO2 max if the Leger et al. adult equation is used for PACER VO2 max prediction.