A reassessment of a running test as a measure of cardiorespiratory fitness

Abstract

The cardiorespiratory fitness level of 32 young Canadian servicemen was assessed by means of a 24km run (1-5milesi, a 4-8km run and a submaximal bicycle ergomeler lest. Maximal aerobic power ([Vdot]₂ max) was measured directly using a treadmill. Heart rates recorded by telemetry confirmed thai thesubjects put forth a maximum, or close to maximum, effort in both running lests. Times for the 2-4 km run correlated well with [Vdot]₂ max measured directly and the correlation was not improved by increasing the distance lo 4-8 km. Predicted [Vdot]₂max, from heart rate during submaximal exercise, correlated poorly with the direct measurement. The percentage of subjects able to meet or exceed equivalent standards (a running time of 12min for the 2 4km distance is considered to indicate a [Vdot]₂max of 42 6ml kg^-1 min^-1) was essentially the same for the 2 4km run and the direct measurement, and was markedly lower for the submaximal exercise test. This study confirms that, for young healthy individuals, the 2 4km run is a valid measure of cardiorespiratory fitness.