Validation of several methods of estimating maximal oxygen uptake in young men

The purpose of this study was to identify the most accurate predictor of VO2max from a variety of running tests. 32 young adult male undergraduates of (mean +/- SE) age 20.14 +/- 0.34 yr., height 179.4 +/- 1.8 cm, weight 73.7 +/- 2.8 kg, and VO2max 57.89 +/- 1.1 ml.kg-1.min.-1 were randomly tested on four different predictive VO2max running tests to assess their actual VO2max, based on a continuous, progressive treadmill protocol and obtained via gas analysis. The four tests consisted of a treadmill jogging test, 1.5 mile run, Cooper's 12-min. run, and the 20-m progressive shuttle-run test. An analysis of variance applied to means indicated significance. Post hoc analysis between the means with correction by Scheffé showed significant difference between the predictive submaximal treadmill jogging test and the 12-min. run but no other differences. The strength of the relationship between predictive tests and VO2max varied, with the 12-min. run having the highest correlation of .87, followed by the 1.5 mile run .87, 20-m progressive shuttle run .82, and the treadmill jogging test .50. The 12-min. run had the highest correlation of all tests with VO2max in young men, with active to trained levels of fitness. The 1.5 mile and 20-m shuttle run also provided accurate predictions of VO2max and so should be used for an accurate prediction of young men's VO2max.