Prediction of VO₂max in Children and Adolescents Using Exercise Testing and Physical Activity Questionnaire Data

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of a treadmill walk-jog-run exercise test previously validated in adults and physical activity questionnaire data to estimate maximum oxygen consumption (VO₂max) in boys (n = 62) and girls (n = 66) aged 12 to 17 years old. Methods: Data were collected from Physical Activity Rating (PA-R) and Perceived Functional Ability (PFA) questionnaires, a walk-jog-run submaximal treadmill exercise test, and a maximal graded exercise test. Results: Regression analysis resulted in the development of 2 models to predict VO₂max. Submaximal exercise test data were used to build the following model (R² = .73; SEE = 4.59 mL + kg^− 1 + min^− 1): VO₂max (mL + kg^− 1 + min^− 1) = 26.890+(5.877 × Gender; 0 = female; 1 = male) −  (0.782 × Body Mass Index [BMI])+(0.438 × PFA Score) +(2.712 × Treadmill Speed; mph) +(0.746 × Age) +(0.449 × PA-R Score). Maximal exercise test data were used to build the following model (R² = .83; SEE = 3.63 mL +  kg^− 1 + min^− 1): VO₂max (mL + kg^− 1 + min^− 1) = 10.716+(1.334 × Maximal Treadmill Grade) +(5.203 × Treadmill Speed; mph) +(3.494 × Gender; 0 = female; 1 = male) −  (0.413 × BMI) +(0.249 × PFA). Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate, for the first time, that regression equations that use both exercise data and physical activity questionnaire data can accurately predict VO₂max in youth. The submaximal and maximal exercise tests that use self-selected treadmill speeds can be used to assess cardiorespiratory fitness of youth with a wide range of fitness levels.

Keywords::

• Cardiorespiratory fitness
• fitness testing
• maximum oxygen uptake