Open AccessSimple tests of cardiorespiratory fitness in a pediatric population
Author(s) -
Brittany Bruggeman,
Heather K. Vincent,
Xiaofei Chi,
Stephanie L. Filipp,
Rebeccah Mercado,
François Modave,
Yi Guo,
Matthew J. Gurka,
Angelina Bernier
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0238863
Subject(s) - cardiorespiratory fitness , medicine , physical therapy , population , physical fitness , test (biology) , step test , treadmill , squat , vo2 max , cardiovascular fitness , heart rate , blood pressure , environmental health , significant difference , paleontology , biology
A progressive, treadmill-based VO 2max is the gold standard of cardiorespiratory fitness determination but is rarely used in pediatric clinics due to time requirements and cost. Simpler and shorter fitness tests such as the Squat Test or Step Test may be feasible and clinically useful alternatives. However, performance comparisons of these tests to treadmill VO 2max tests are lacking. The primary aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the correlation between Squat and Step Test scores and VO 2max in a pediatric population. As secondary outcomes, we calculated correlations between Rated Perceived Exertion Scale (RPE) scores, NIH PROMIS Physical Activity scores, and BMI z-score with VO 2max , and we also evaluated the ability of each fitness test to discriminate low and high-risk patients based on the FITNESSGram. Forty children aged 10–17 completed these simple cardiorespiratory fitness tests. Statistically significant correlations were observed between VO 2max and the Step Test (r = -0.549) and Squat Test (r = -0.429) scores, as well as participant BMI z-score (r = -0.458). RPE and PROMIS scores were not observed to be correlated with VO 2max . Area Under the Receiver Operator Curve was relatively high for BMI z-scores and the Step Test (AUC = 0.813, 0.713 respectively), and lower for the Squat Test (AUC = 0.610) in discriminating risk according to FITNESSGram Scores. In this sample, the Step Test performed best overall. These tests were safe, feasible, and may add great value in assessing cardiorespiratory fitness in a clinical setting.