title: The use of anthropometric measurements and the influence of demographic factors on the prediction of VO(2max) in a cohort of adolescents: the PAHL study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  [Formula: see text] prediction models have not focused on children and adolescents from South Africa and have not included various demographic factors as possible predictors.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was, therefore, to determine whether a valid [Formula: see text] prediction function can be developed from several anthropometric measurements and demographic factors of a cohort of adolescents in South Africa.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 214 adolescent boys (n = 88) and girls (n = 126) (15.82 ± 0.68 years) were selected. Demographic, sport and maturation data were collected by means of questionnaires, whereas anthropometric measurements were taken by accredited anthropometrists and the 20-m Shuttle Run Test (SRT) executed to determine indirect [Formula: see text] values. A forward stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed to identify the cluster analysis reduced [Formula: see text] predictors and a cross-validation was performed in order to validate the prediction function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Muscle mass percentage, sport participation level, stature, hip circumference and ectomorphy acted as significant predictors (p < 0.05) of the adolescents' indirect, 20-m SRT [Formula: see text] values. Seventy per cent of the variance in the indirect, 20-m SRT [Formula: see text] values could be explained by this model. Cross-validation also confirmed the model's validity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RESULTS indicate that the [Formula: see text] of adolescents from different racial backgrounds, living areas and gender groups can be accurately predicted by making use of a population-specific model.
authors: Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation Research Focus Area, North-West University , Potchefstroon , South Africa.
authors: Cindy
authors: C
authors: Pienaar
authors: Ben
authors: B
authors: Coetzee
authors: Andries M
authors: AM
authors: Monyeki
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003710:Demography; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013019:South Africa
keywords: Aerobic; body composition; exercise; fitness; regression equation; youth