title: An exercise performance test does not measure physical fitness for the average person.
abstract: One hundred and thirty five members of the public who attended a medical school open day and who volunteered for a physical fitness assessment were asked to rate their own physical fitness and to give a reason for their rating; subjects then performed a submaximal exercise test for an estimation of maximum oxygen uptake. More than two-thirds of the reasons given for self-rating of fitness were related to level of regular exercise, while physical exercise performance, health or obesity each accounted for 10% or less of the reasons given. There was no significant correlation between self-rating of fitness and maximum oxygen uptake. It is concluded that for the average person an estimate of the level of regular exercise is likely to be a more appropriate measure of physical fitness than performance in an exercise test.
authors.affiliation: Otago Medical School, Dunedin.
authors.forename: W G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Hopkins
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D005082:Physical Exertion; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012649:Self Concept