Prediction of maximal oxygen uptake by squat test in men and women

To examine the reproducibility of simple tests including step, squat and double quick tests, the respective tests were performed twice in 242 college women. The step test for 1, 2 or 3 min and the squat test for 1 or 1.5 min were adopted as simple endurance tests with superior reproducibility. Then 30 men (18-26 yr) and 32 women (18-34 yr) participated in a maximal O2 uptake (VO2max) test and the simple endurance tests. The scores (the sum of heart beats for 30-60, 90-120, 150-180 seconds in a sitting posture following the exercise) in the respective simple endurance tests were significantly correlated (P < 0.001) with VO2max per kilogram body weight in the men and women. For example, the equation relating VO2max to the score (X) of the squat test for 1.5 min in men was: VO2max (ml. kg-1. min-1) = -0.261X + 85.19 (r = -0.820, P < 0.001). The discrepancies between VO2max predicted by using the respective estimation equations and that determined by the direct method were 6.3% (by the step test for 3 min) approximately 8.1% (by the squat test for 1 min) in men and 4.7% (by the step test for 2 min) approximately 6.1% (by the squat test for 1 min) in women. Significant correlations were observed between the respective scores in the simple endurance tests (P < 0.001) and between % body fat and the scores (P < 0.01) in both men and women, but not for height vs. the scores. These results suggest that VO2max can be estimated not only by the step test for 1, 2 or 3 min but also the squat test for 1 or 1.5 min.