AUTHOR=Lin Gen-Min , Tsai Kun-Zhe , Sui Xuemei , Lavie Carl J. 

TITLE=Estimated power output for a distance run and maximal oxygen uptake in young adults

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=Volume 14 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2023.1110802

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2023.1110802

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=Background
Both cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and run field tests are recommended by the American Heart Association for assessing maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) of youth. Power output was highly correlated with VO2 max in a CPET. However, it is unclear regarding the correlations of time and estimated power output (EPO) for a run field test with VO2 max obtained from a CPET in young adults.
Methods 
This study included 45 participants, aged 20-40 years, from a sample of 1,120 military personnel who completed a 3000-m run field test in Taiwan in 2020. The participants subsequently received a CPET with the Bruce protocol to assess VO2 max in the same year. According to the physics rule, EPO (watts) for the run field test was defined as a product of half body mass (kg) and [distance (3000-m)/time (s) for a run field test]2. Pearson product-moment correlation analyses were performed.
Results
The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) of time against EPO for the run field test was estimated 0.708 (p <0.001). The correlation coefficient between time for the run field test and VO2 max (L/min) in a CPET was estimated 0.462 (p =0.001). By contrast, the correlation coefficient between time for the run field test and VO2 max scaled to body mass in a CPET was estimated 0.729 (p <0.001). The correlation coefficient of EPO for the run field test against VO2 max in a CPET was estimated 0.813 (p <0.001).
Conclusion
In young adults, although time for a run field test was a reliable estimate of VO2 max scaled to body mass, EPO proportionally to the mean velocity squared was found as a superior estimate of VO2 max.