Abstract

New walking and/or jogging tests for an indirect determination of maximal aerobic power have been studied in 30 women aged 51.0+/-7.9 years and the influence of anthropometric variables on tests results was determined. The anthropometric measurements indlcuded 8 skinfolds, 10 girths and 2 breadths. Body composition was assessed by the BIA analysis. The 20-min walking and jogging tests were conducted at maximum speed on an indoor track. The walking/running time and heart rate (HR) were recorded at 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 m. Moreover, the distance covered and related HR were recorded at one min-intervals starting from the 3rd minute of the test. Mean VO2max, measured directly using a graded treadmill test, was 28.1+/-4.3 ml/min/kg. All subjects passed the 20 min walking test but only 5 out of 30 subjects were able to jog for full 20 min. Mean HR values during jogging were by 20-25 beats/min higher than during walking. Mean walking (110-120 m/min) and jogging (140-150 m/min) velocities were relatively stable. Coefficients of simple correlation between the walking/running time at distances ranging from 500 to 2000 m and the directly measured VO2max/kg, ranged from 0.3 to 0.5. From the 9th minute of the test onwards, the correlation between the walking distance covered and the directly measured VO2max/kg, stabilised at r=0.54. As follows from multiple correlations, the distance covered in 9 min explained 29% of the total variance of VO2max/kg while the triceps and medial calf skinfold thicknesses plus humerus breadth explained 37.9% of the total variance of the 9 min walking test results. Thus, the 9 min walking test proved promising for measuring aerobic fitness in middle-aged females. Verf.-Referat