Abstract des Autors

Obesity is a major health problem in the U.S., especially for Hispanic youth. Because maximal/peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) is one predictor of future weight gain in children, valid field-based methods for determining VO2peak in Hispanic children are needed. The purpose of this study was to validate a field-based aerobic fitness test, the 20-m shuttle test (20-MST), in Hispanic boys (n=58) and girls (n=67), 10 - 12 years old (mean age ± SD, 10.7 ± 0.6 y). Measured VO2peak was determined during a maximal, graded treadmill test using the Bruce protocol. The 20-MST was administered per a standard protocol. Maximal speed attained on the 20-MST and age were used to estimate VO2peak. An intraclass coefficient of 0.82 was obtained on 35 students (16 boys; r=0.85 and 19 girls; r=0.79) who completed the 20-MST twice, 1-wk apart. Estimated (44.3 ml/kg/min) and measured (45.1 ml/kg/min) VO2peak were not significantly different (p=0.33). The correlation between the two VO2peak parameters was r=0.62; p<0.001, the standard error of the estimate (SEE) was 3.91 ml/kg/min, and 85.5 % of the measured VO2peak values fell within 5.9 ml/kg/min of estimated VO2peak. The weight status of the child did not significantly change these results. The 20-MST combined with the Leger et al. equation is a valid method for predicting VO2peak in Hispanic youth. The test can be used to provide valuable information for intervention design and disease prevention. Verf.-Referat