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Validity and reference values for the 3-minute shuttle run test in spanish preschoolers
Miguel Adriano Sanchez-Lastra1, José Carlos Diz Gómez1,2, Rodolfo Iván Martínez-Lemos1,2
1Universidade de Vigo, Departamento de Didácticas Especiais, Facultade de Ciencias da Educación e do Deporte - Vigo, Spain.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to analyze the validity and provide normative values for the three-min shuttle run test in Spanish preschoolers.
Methods:
A total of 497 children (mean age 4.83±0.57 years; 47.8% girls) performed the three-min shuttle run test. Posttest body mass index and heart rate values were taken as internal validity indicators.
Results:
Age- and sex-specific percentiles for cardiorespiratory fitness were provided. Boys performed better than girls in the test. A significant association was observed between the total distance covered and heart rate (p=0.002). No correlation was found between body mass index and the test score, although the total distance covered by normal weight and obese children was significantly different (296.9 versus. 271.3 m; p=0.013).
Conclusions:
This study provides age- and sex-specific cardiorespiratory fitness normative values for the three-min shuttle run test when performed by Spanish preschoolers. This test is an interesting option when the lack of resources limits the measurement of cardiorespiratory fitness in the preschool setting.
