Estimation Of Aerobic Fitness Research Articles

Estimation of aerobic fitness from PACER performance with and without body mass index

ABSTRACTPurpose: To develop models to estimate aerobic fitness (VO2max) from PACER performance in 10- to 18-year-old youth, with and without body mass index (BMI) as a predictor. Method: Youth (N = 280) completed the PACER and a maximal treadmill test to assess VO2max. Validation and cross-validation groups were randomly formed to develop and examine accuracy of models. Participants were classified into FitnessGram® Healthy Fitness Zone categories based on measured and estimated VO2max and criterion-referenced validity was evaluated. Results: Multiple correlations between measured and estimated VO2max ranged from .70 to .73, with standard errors of estimate between 6.43 and 6.68 mL·kg−1·min−1. Accuracy with and without BMI was nearly identical. Overall, criterion-referenced validity evidence was moderate. Conclusion: Moderately accurate and feasible models were developed. Minimal improvement in accuracy was noted when BMI was added as a predictor. The model with PACER and age as predictors has a high level of utility for youth fitness testing.

Development of 1-mile walk tests to estimate aerobic fitness in children

ABSTRACTTo examine the reliability and validity of 1-mile walk tests for estimation of aerobic fitness (VO2max) in 10- to 13-year-old children and to cross-validate previously published equations. Participants (n = 61) walked 1-mile on two different days. Self-reported physical activity, demographic variables, and aerobic fitness were used in multiple regression analyses. Eight models were developed with various combinations of predictors. The recommended model for fitness testing in schools was: VO2max = 120.702 + (4.114 × Sex [F = 0, M = 1]) – (2.918 × 1-mile Walk Time [min]) – (2.841 × Age), R = .73, standard error of estimate = 6.36 mL·kg−1·min−1. Cross-validation of previously published equations demonstrated lower correlations with measured VO2max than the newly developed walk tests. Evidence of reliability and validity for 1-mile walk tests to estimate VO2max in young children was provided. The model that included 1-mile walk time, age, and sex may be appropriate for youth fitness testing in physical education, particularly for unmotivated or overweight young children.

Adolescent Female Ball Players Oxygen Consumption and the Association to Playing Ability and Fitness Estimation

Peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) is used to estimate aerobic capacity. Data regarding adolescence female ball players is limited. Furthermore, the association to coaches’ estimation of playing ability and aerobic fitness is scarce and can be of interest for players selection. PURPOSE: This study evaluates VO2peak of soccer and basketball elite adolescent female players from the Israeli Academy for Sport Excellence. The purpose of the current investigation was to evaluate VO2peak based on playing position and to compare VO2peak to coaches’ estimation of individual general playing ability and aerobic fitness. METHODS: Results of treadmill VO2peak testing were collected from medical records and were analyzed. Head coaches (national level) were asked to estimate general playing ability and aerobic fitness of each player on a scale of 5 (best) to 1 (worst). RESULTS: Twenty eight female soccer players (14.3-17.9 years) and 23 female basketball players (12.6-16.0 years) were included. Average VO2peak was 48 and 47.9 ml/kg/min, respectively. Forward soccer players had a better VO2peak comparing to other positions (goalkeepers=42.2, defenders=48.4, midfield=47.3, forwards=54.7ml/kg/min). Soccer coach playing ability (average=4.21) and fitness estimation (average=3.96) did not correlate with VO2peak results (Correlation Coefficient= 0.292, p=0.13 and 0.257, p=0.18 respectively). Center basketball players had the lowest and point guards the highest average VO2peak (centers=34.2, forwards=44.6, guards=50.5 and point guard=53.1 ml/kg/min). Basketball coach playing ability (average=3.14) and fitness estimation (average=2.86) correlate with VO2peak results (Correlation Coefficient= 0.464,p=0.03 and 0.547,p=0.008 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent female soccer and basketball players at different playing positions exhibited different VO2peak values as reported in the literature. Basketball coaches’ estimation of aerobic fitness and general playing ability were associated with VO2peak results whereas soccer coaches’ estimation did not. VO2peak may be considered as a parameter for team selection of ball game players game players, however in light of the inconsistence results, further research is required.

Estimation of aerobic fitness among young men without exercise test

Summary Study aim: to develop and estimate the validity of non-exercise methods to predict VO2max among young male conscripts entering military service in order to divide them into the different physical training groups. Material and methods: fifty males (age 19.7 ± 0.3 years) reported their physical activity before military service by IPAQ and SIVAQ questionnaires. Furthermore, Jackson’s non-exercise method was used to estimate VO2max. Body mass and height were measured, body mass index calculated and VO2max measured directly in a maximal treadmill test. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups. The results of the Group 1 (N = 25) were used to develop a regression equation to estimate VO2max. The results of the Group 2 (N = 25) were used to evaluate the validity of the developed non-exercise methods and Jackson’s non-exercise methods to estimate VO2max by Bland and Altman plot. The validity was further evaluated by comparing the results to 12-minute running test performed by 877 male conscripts (age 19.6 ± 0.2 years). Results: the developed models explained 68–74% of the variation in VO2max. Mean difference between directly measured and estimated VO2max was not significant, while Jackson’s method overestimated VO2max (p < 0.001). Both developed models were equally valid to divide conscripts into tertile group of fitness. However, 5% of the conscripts were classified into the highest fitness group based on both methods, but they were actually in the lowest fitness group based on a running test. Conclusion: in practice, these findings suggest that developed methods can be used as a tool to divide conscripts into different fitness groups in the very beginning of their military service.

Associations of Activity Monitor Output and an Estimate of Aerobic Fitness with Pulse Wave Velocities: The Nakanojo Study

Associations of Activity Monitor Output and an Estimate of Aerobic Fitness with Pulse Wave Velocities: The Nakanojo Study

Differences in Aerobic Fitness between Inpatients and Outpatients with Severe Mental Disorders.

Background: Patients with severe mental disorders have increased mortality, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) accounts for a large part. Physical inactivity and low aerobic fitness have been recognized as significant risk factors for CVD. In this study, we investigated the differences in aerobic fitness and physical activity between in- and outpatients with severe mental disorders.Method and Subjects: Fifty in- and outpatients from a regional psychiatric department were included. The patients filled in a questionnaire on physical activity and completed a clinical examination. An estimation of aerobic fitness was calculated for each patient, using gender, age, waist circumference, resting heart rate, and physical activity level as variables.Results: Inpatients had lower estimated aerobic fitness than outpatients (VO2peak 42 vs. 50 mL kg−1 min−1, p < 0.001). Compared to population data matched for age and gender, inpatients had lower aerobic fitness, while outpatients were not different from the population average.Conclusion: Inpatients at a psychiatric department had lower estimated aerobic fitness than outpatients, and a lower aerobic fitness compared to the general population. Our findings suggest that inpatients with severe mental disorders should be considered a high risk group for CVD.

Cross validation of ROC generated thresholds for field assessed aerobic fitness related to weight status and cardiovascular disease risk in portuguese young people

To examine the efficacy of aerobic fitness thresholds in predicting weight status and cardiovascular disease risk (CVD) in young people. A cross-sectional school-based study was conducted on 414 Portuguese young people (235 girls and 179 boys) aged 10-16 years (Mean age ± SD = 13.6 ± 1. 8 years). Height and mass were assessed to determine body mass index (BMI). The 20 m multistage shuttle-fitness test (MSFT) was used as an estimate of aerobic fitness. Capillary blood sampling was used to determine: total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-, and low-density lipoprotein. These were combined with measures of systolic blood pressure as z-scores and summed to create a CVD risk score. Analysis of covariance, controlling for sexual maturation, indicated a significant main effect for BMI as a result of fitness category (P = 0.0001). When applied to CVD risk data, there was no difference between "fit" and "unfit" groups (P = 0.136). Subsequent receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis indicated significant diagnostic accuracy of 20 mMSFT performance for boys and girls (both P = 0.0001) with subsequent cut-offs of estimated VO2 peak of 49.5 ml kg(-1) min(-1) for girls and 47.7 ml kg(-1) min(-1) for boys. When applied to BMI and CVD risk data, there was a significant main effect as a result of fitness category for BMI (P = 0.0001) and CVD risk score (P = 0.0001). Recently established cut-points proposed by Boddy et al. (Boddy et al. [2012]: PLoS One 7(9): e45755) show validity in distinguishing between weight status but not CVD risk in Portuguese young people. Alternative ROC generated cut points significantly predicted BMI and CVD risk in this sample.

The PWC170: comparison of different stage lengths in 11–16 year olds

It is unknown how the estimation of aerobic fitness in children and adolescents compares among physical working capacity (PWC) protocols with different stage lengths. The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) compare PWC tests with 2-, 3-, and 6-min stage lengths in youth, and (2) examine the relationship between PWC at a heart rate (HR) of 170 beats min(-1) (PWC170) and peak oxygen consumption (VO(2)peak). Fifty youth (31 m, 19 f), aged 11-16 years participated. Each participant visited the laboratory twice and performed three PWC tests (2-, 3-, 6-min stages) on a cycle ergometer. Tests usually consisted of three stages of increasing loads with the goal of reaching HR ≥ 165 beats min(-1). Individual regression lines were created to predict workload at HR = 170 beats ∙ min(-1) for each test. Participants completed two VO(2peak) tests, both running and cycling. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare PWC170 values. Pearson correlation was used to assess the relationships between VO(2peak) and power output for different PWC170 stage lengths. The three PWC170 protocols differ significantly; therefore, it is not advisable to directly compare results from different protocols. Furthermore, PWC170 showed moderate associations with VO(2peak), with the 2-min protocol showing the best correlation.

Potential Clinical Implications of Implicit and Explicit Attitudes Within Possible Exercise Selves Schemata: A Pilot Study

Our purpose was to explore implicit as well as explicit exercise schemata of 51 inactive to highly active college students. For the implicit measure, a pilot study was used to establish the word set (exercise-related, nonexercise-related, and nonwords) for the lexical decision task. A latency differential was calculated based on reaction times to these word sets. Participants used self-regulatory functions to rate both hoped and feared exercise selves and reported workout hours. An estimate of aerobic fitness was derived. Results showed that implicit exercise attitudes were related to the “importance” placed on being an exerciser and on avoiding being a nonexerciser. Those who self-identified as an exerciser had higher levels of self-efficacy, workouts, and fitness. In contrast, those who self-identified as a nonexerciser were less active and fit and seemed to dwell on negative thoughts related to self-efficacy. Clinicians might help clients explore these attitudes, especially importance.

Reliability and Validity of the Five-Minute Walking Field Test for Estimating V˙O2 peak in Elderly Subjects with Knee Osteoarthritis

The purposes of the present study were (a) to evaluate the test-retest reliability of the Price et al. (1988) 5-min walking field test, (b) to assess the validity of the test as an estimate of aerobic fitness, and (c) to derive a predictive model for estimating peak. The subjects were men and women age ≥50 with knee osteoarthritis. A high intraclass correlation coefficient was obtained in the reliability study, which included 60 subjects who did the 5-min walk twice within a maximum of 11 days. For the validity study, distances walked at the first walking trial were compared with peak values measured by a maximal treadmill test. The best predictive model included the following predictor variables: distance walked in 5 min, age, sex, and weight. Results indicate that the 5-minutc walking field test is a reliable and valid method for estimating peak in this population.