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Validation of two running tests as estimates of maximal aerobic power in children

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Summary

In order to validate the “Maximal Multistage 20 Meter Shuttle Run Test” by Leger and Lambert (1982) (20-MST) as an estimate of maximal aerobic power (\(\dot V_{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}} {\text{max}}}\)) and to compare the results of this test with the results of a 6 min endurance run, 82 subjects (41 boys and 41 girls) aged 12–14 performed the 20-MST and the 6 min endurance run, and had their \(\dot V_{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}} {\text{max}}}\) directly measured during maximal treadmill running.

The 20-MST is a maximal running test starting at a running speed of 8.0 km · h−1, which is increased every minute and in which the pace is set by an audio signal. Performing the test, one runs a 20-meter course back and forth. The test result is expressed as “palier” (one palier is approximately one minute).

The mean results of the 20-MST were, for boys, 8.0 palier (± 1.7) and for girls, 6.4 palier (± 1.5). The mean results of the 6 min endurance run were for boys, 1264.4 meters (± 160.8), and for girls, 1103.9 meters (± 144.7). The mean \(\dot V_{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}} {\text{max}}}\) for boys was 53.2 ml · kg−1 · min−1 (± 5.4) and for girls, 44.1 (± 4.8) ml · kg−1 · min−1. The correlation coefficient between \(\dot V_{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}} {\text{max}}}\) and the 20-MST was found to be 0.68 (± 3.9) for boys, 0.69 (± 3.4) for girls and 0.76 (± 4.4) for both sexes, and that of \(\dot V_{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}} {\text{max}}}\) with the 6 min endurance run was 0.51 (± 4.6) for boys, 0.45 (± 4.3) for girls and 0.63 (± 5.3) for both sexes. The conclusion is that the 20-MST is a suitable tool for the evaluation of maximal aerobic power. Although the differences in validity between the 20-MST and the 6 minutes endurance run were statistically not significant (p>0.05), for reasons of practicability the 20-MST should be preferred to the 6 minutes endurance run when used in physical education classes.

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van Mechelen, W., Hlobil, H. & Kemper, H.C.G. Validation of two running tests as estimates of maximal aerobic power in children. Europ. J. Appl. Physiol. 55, 503–506 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00421645

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