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Validity and reliability of the PACER test for predicting peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak) of Singapore upper primary school boys
Author
Shamsudin Hashim
Supervisor
Kunalan, C. (Canagasabai)
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of the PACER test to estimate PO2 peak of Singapore upper primary school boys. Twenty-four primary school boys (age 10 - 12 years, body fat 19.1% ± 8.1%) underwent 5 tests of aerobic capacity, with one week separating each assessment. The tests were (a) V'02 peak test using a continuous progressive treadmill protocol, (b) PACER test #l, (c) PACER test #2, (d) 1.6km run #l and (e) 1.6km run #2. Heart rates were monitored continuously in all tests. The PACER test requires the subjects to shuttle between two points, 20 metres apart, keeping pace with pre-recorded sound signals. Frequency of the sound signals is increased by 0.5 km.h-1 each minute from a starting speed of 8.5 km. h-'. V02 peak values (mL.kg-1.min-1) attained from the treadmill run was 49.5 ± 7.4; V02 peak estimated from performance in PACER #l and PACER #2 were 52.1 ± 5.1 and 52.8 + 4.2 mL.kg-1 .min-1, respectively. The time taken (minutes) to complete the 1.6km run#l and 1.6km run #2 were 12.1 & 1.4 and 12.5 ± 1.2 respectively. The correlations between V02 peak and the PACER test showed higher values in comparison with the 1.6km run (r = 0.833 vs. -0.608). The result indicates that almost 70% of the total variance of the p07 peak can be accounted for by the PACER test but only 36% by the 1.6km run. Similarly, the correlations for test retest reliability favoured the PACER test in comparison with the 1.6km run (r = 0.946 vs. 0.850). These results confirm that the PACER test is a valid and reliable test and is preferred over the 1.6km run as an estimation of cardiovascular fitness of children between 10 - 12 years because it is more readily administered in physical education classes.
Date Issued
2003
Call Number
QP121 Sha
Date Submitted
2003