title: Evaluation of a shallow water running test for the estimation of peak aerobic power.
abstract: The purpose of this investigation was to assess the validity of a 500-yard shallow water run test to determine peak aerobic power (VO2peak) and to compare it with the commonly used 1.5-mile run test. Subjects included 15 men and 28 women who completed two trials each of a 500-yard shallow water run test and a 1.5-mile run and then completed a graded exercise test on a treadmill to determine VO2peak. Correlation coefficients with measured VO2peak were -0.89 and -0.80 for the 1.5-mile and 500-yard water runs, respectively. Multiple regression analyses revealed that prediction of VO2peak from 1.5-mile run time was significantly improved by including the 1.5-mile run peak HR (R2 = 0.82, SEE = 3.52 ml.kg-1.min-1). Similarly, for the 500-yard water run test, percent body fat and height were significant additional predictors of VO2peak (R2 = 0.86, SEE = 3.19 ml.kg-1.min-1). We conclude that the 500-yard shallow water run test, especially when used with the descriptive measures of percent body fat and height, can provide a reasonable estimate of an individuals' cardiorespiratory fitness classification. However, caution is advised when administering these tests in older populations or in those with multiple coronary risk factors.
authors.affiliation: Human Performance Laboratory, School of Physical Education, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Kaminsky
authors.forename: K W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Wehrli
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Mahon
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Robbins
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Powers
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Whaley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D010809:Physical Fitness; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*