Abstract

Physical educators are often in need of a test to measure the maximal oxygen uptake (V02max) of their students. Usually direct V02max measurement is impossible due to time restrictions and a lack of approprriate laboratory equipment. Because of such limitations, it becomes necessary for the practitioner to use a valid field test that will yield a predicted value of V02max. Massicotte, Markon and gauthier (1985) tested the validity of an endurance running event (either 800, 1600 or 2,400 meters, depending on a childs age) as a predictor of V02max. A total of 573 subjects between 6-17 years of age participated in the study. It was found that the multiple correlation between direct V02max measurement, body weight and running time was 0.76 for the 6-9 years olf, 0.80 for the 10-12 years old and 0.82 for the 13-17 years old. Prediction equations were then derived which could be used to predict V02max in ml/kg/min from a subjects weight and run performance time. These prediction equations have been applied to the data obtained from the endurance run performance times of approximately 9,000 youths in the 1979 National Study to revise the CAHPER Fitness-Performance Test. Consequently, percentile norms of predicted V02max for the three age groups, 6-9, 10-12 and 13-17 have been developed. The purpose of this presentation was to supply the physical education teacher with percentile norms of predicted V02max. It would then be possible to provide a more complete assessment of the fitness level of children, based on their running performances. Verf.-Referat