Agreement Between VO_2peak Predicted From PACER and One-Mile Run Time-Equated Laps

This study examined the agreement between estimated peak oxygen consumption (VO_2peak) obtained from the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) fitness test and equated PACER laps derived from One-Mile Run time (MR).

A sample of 680 participants (324 boys and 356 girls) in Grades 7 through 12 completed both the PACER and the MR assessments. MR time was converted to PACER laps (PACER-MEQ) using previously developed conversion algorithms. Agreement between PACER and PACER-MEQ VO_2peak was examined using Pearson correlations, mean absolute percent error (MAPE), and equivalence testing procedures. Classification agreement based on health-related standards was examined using sensitivity, specificity, and Kappa statistics.

Overall agreement between estimated VO_2peak obtained from the PACER and PACER-MEQ was high in boys, r(324) = .79, R² = .63, and moderate in girls, r(356) = .57, R² = .33. The MAPE for estimates obtained from PACER-MEQ was 10.3% and estimates were deemed equivalent to the PACER (43.1 ± 6.9 mL/kg/min vs. 44.6 ± 0.3 mL/kg/min). Classification agreement as illustrated by sensitivity and specificity ranged from 20.4% to 90.2% and was higher for classifications in the Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ). Kappa statistics ranged from .14 to .51 and were also higher for the HFZ.

Equated PACER laps can be used to obtain equivalent estimates of PACER VO_2peak in groups of adolescents, but some disparities can be found when students' scores are classified into the Needs Improvement Zone.