Predicted Equation for VO2 Based on a 20-Meter Multistage Shuttle Run Test for Children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Exercise Physiology
• Sports Science
• Cardiorespiratory Fitness Assessment

Background:

• Accurate assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness, specifically maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max), is crucial for evaluating children's health.
• The 20-meter multistage shuttle run test (20-Srt) is a practical field test, but its validity in predicting VO2max in young children requires further investigation compared to laboratory-based cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET).

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare VO2max measurements between the 20-Srt and CPET in children aged 6-10 years.
• To develop a predictive equation for estimating VO2max using the 20-Srt in this age group.

Main Methods:

• Eighty healthy children (aged 6-10 years) underwent both a treadmill-based CPET and a 20-Srt.
• Expired gases and heart rate were measured during both tests using a portable gas analyzer.
• Linear multiple regression analysis was used to develop the predictive equation.

Main Results:

• VO2max was significantly lower during CPET compared to 20-Srt across all participants (46.3±7.9 vs. 48.7±4.6 mL·kg-1·min-1).
• The standard error of estimate for the prediction was between 3.0 and 3.6 mL·kg-1·min-1, considered clinically acceptable.
• The intraclass correlation coefficient between CPET and 20-Srt VO2max was 0.74, indicating moderate reliability.
• The predictive equation derived was VO2maxpred = 4.302 + (maximum speed * 5.613) - (age * 1.523).

Conclusions:

• The 20-Srt provides a moderately reliable estimation of VO2max in children aged 6-10 years.
• The developed predictive equation, incorporating maximum speed and age, can be used to estimate VO2max from the 20-Srt in this population.