Construct validation of a non-exercise measure of cardiorespiratory fitness in older adults.
BACKGROUND
Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is associated with a decreased risk of all-cause mortality but is rarely assessed in medical settings due to burdens of time, cost, risk, and resources. The purpose of this study was to test the construct validity of a regression equation developed by Jurca and colleagues (2005) to estimate CRF without exercise testing in community dwelling older adults.


METHODS
Participants (n = 172) aged 60 to 80 years with no contraindications to submaximal or maximal exercise testing completed a maximal graded exercise test (GXT) and the submaximal Rockport 1-mile walk test on separate occasions. Data included in the regression equation (age, sex, body mass index, resting heart rate, and physical activity) were obtained via measurement or self-report. Participants also reported presence of cardiovascular conditions.


RESULTS
The multiple R for the regression equation was .72, p < .001 and CRF estimated from this equation was significantly correlated with the MET value from the GXT (r = 0.66) and with CRF estimated from submaximal field testing (r = 0.67). All three CRF indices were significantly and inversely associated with reporting more cardiovascular conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
This research provides preliminary evidence that a non-exercise estimate of CRF is at least as valid as field test estimates of CRF and represents a low-risk, low-cost, and expedient method for estimating fitness in older adults.
Department of Kinesiology & Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 906 S Goodwin Ave, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
Emily L
EL
Mailey
Siobhan M
SM
White
Thomas R
TR
Wójcicki
Amanda N
AN
Szabo
Arthur F
AF
Kramer
Edward
E
McAuley
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena