Norm-Referenced and Criterion-Referenced Validity of the One-Mile Run and PACER in College Age Individuals

Abstract

The first purpose of this study was to determine the norm-referenced predictive validity of maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂) max estimated from the progressive aerobic cardiovascular endurance run (PACER, FITNESSGRAM®; Cooper Institute for Aerobic Research, Dallas, TX) performance by 3 separate formulas: the Leger, Mercier, Gadoury, and Lambert (1988) 8- to 19-year-old equation; the Leger et al. adult equation; and the Ramsbottom, Brewer, and Williams (1988) equation. Norm-referenced intraclass stability reliability coefficients (n = 19) were determined to be .96 for PACER and estimated VO₂ max values. Only the VO₂ max values estimated from the Leger et al. adult equation (47.29 ± 7.02 vs. 50.45 ± 8.01 rnL · kg^-1 · min^-1 measured; p < .0001) were shown to be valid (r = .82; standard error of estimate [SEE] = 4.59; Error = 5.58; percentage of participants whose measured VO₂ max fell within ± 4.5 mL · kg^-1 · min^-1 of estimated VO₂ max = 59.7; N = 60 female participants ± 59 male participants). The second purpose was to cross-validate the Cureton, Sloninger, O'Bannon, Black, and McCormack (1995) equation for the estimation of VO₂ max from the one-mile run (1-MR). The results (estimated VO₂ max = 48.06 ± 6.57 vs. 50.45 ± 8.01 rnL · kg^-1 · min^-1 measured; p < .0001; r= .82; SEE = 4.53; Error = 5.27; percentage = 61.7; N = 50 female ± 44 male participants) indicated a norm-referencedpredictive validity similar to the Leger et al. adult PACER equation. There was no significant difference between the VO₂max estimated by the Leger et al. 8- to 19-year-old and the Cureton et al. equations. Correlations between 1-MR time and measured VO₂ max (r = .78) and PACER laps and measured 90, maw (r = 33) supported norm-referenced concurrent validity in this population. The third purpose was to determine the criterion-referenced reliability and validity of the PACER and 1-MR. Criterion-referenced reliability indicated a proportion of agreement (P) of .95 and a modified Kappa (K) of .90 for PACER laps and estimated VO₂ max. A .88 proportion of correct classification decisions (c) with a phi coefficient (ϕ) of .08 was determined for criterion-referenced validity of the Leger et al. adult equation. Comparable validity coefficients for the Cureton et al. equation were c = .97 and ϕ = .65. Criterion-referenced equivalence reliability (P) was .90 with a Kq of .80 for the 1-MR and PACER. It was concluded that (a) the Leger et al. (1988) adult equation is the preferred equation to use to estimate VO₂ max from PACER scores for college aged individuals; (b) the Cureton et al. (1995) equation is valid for estimating VO₂ max in college students from the 1-MR; and (c) the FITNESSGRAM® (Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research, 1992) criterion-referenced standards using data from the Cureton et al. and Leger et al. adult equations were both reliable and valid in this population. The 1-MR and the PACER may be used interchangeably in this age group to assess cardiovascular fitness either from performance scores or estimated VO₂ max if the Leger et al. adult equation is used for PACER VO₂ max prediction.