Abstract

Aim. To determine most appropriate duration or distance of walking or running field test for indirect estimation of maximal oxygen consumption (V.O2max) in 14-16-year old girls (n=102). Methods. Three exercise tests were conducted: 15-minute walking and 15-minute running field test on an indoor track, and direct V.O2max test on a treadmill. Walking and running time (s) every 500 m and also the distance (m) at one minute intervals were recorded during field tests. Results. Correlation analysis stated that the results of the 1500 m running field test had the strongest correlation with directly measured V.O2max/kg (r=-0.39). The developed equation for predicting V.O2max/kg=-0.04529•1500m run (s) + 62.57 was found to be satisfying for predicting aerobic working capacity (r=0.65; SEE=6.79 ml•kg-1•min-1). The reliability of the 1500 m running field test was high (ICC=0.93). Body fat % was most significant body composition parameter affecting test results (r=0.28).Conclusion. The 1500 m running test is a possible alternative for assessing the level of aerobic working capacity in adolescent girls.