Use of self-assessed fitness and exercise parameters to predict objective fitness.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this prospective study was to examine the effectiveness of self-assessed fitness and exercise in predicting objectively measured physical fitness.


METHODS
Study subjects included 1583 men who entered Marine Corps training in San Diego, CA, between September and November 2002 and completed a questionnaire and an objective fitness test. The questionnaire included demographic and self-assessed fitness/exercise items, and was administered immediately upon entry into the training program. The objective fitness measure was obtained using a standardized test after approximately 1 month of training.


RESULTS
Multivariate modeling found that several measures of self-assessed fitness and exercise (estimated number of pull-ups; good, very good, or excellent self-assessed fitness; sweating quite a lot or most or all of the time during physical activity; and competitive experience) were all associated with the objective fitness score. These results remained statistically significant after controlling for age, race, and body mass index (model adjusted R2 = 0.469, P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
In this analysis, self-assessed fitness and exercise parameters that can be easily ascertained with a short questionnaire predicted objective fitness scores approximately 1 month later. This information could be used by recruiters to make recommendations for pre-enlistment conditioning.
Riley
Donna J
DJ
Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA. driley@projects.sdsu.edu
Wingard
Deborah
D
Morton
Deborah
D
Nichols
Jeanne F
JF
Ji
Ming
M
Shaffer
Richard
R
Macera
Caroline A
CA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D044469:Racial Groups; D012647:Self-Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires