Agreement between VO[subscript 2peak] Predicted from PACER and One-Mile Run Time-Equated Laps

Purpose: This study examined the agreement between estimated peak oxygen consumption (VO[subscript 2peak]) obtained from the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) fitness test and equated PACER laps derived from One-Mile Run time (MR). Methods: A sample of 680 participants (324 boys and 356 girls) in Grades 7 through 12 completed both the PACER and the MR assessments. MR time was converted to PACER laps (PACER-MEQ) using previously developed conversion algorithms. Agreement between PACER and PACER-MEQ VO[subscript 2peak] was examined using Pearson correlations, mean absolute percent error (MAPE), and equivalence testing procedures. Classification agreement based on health-related standards was examined using sensitivity, specificity, and Kappa statistics. Results: Overall agreement between estimated VO[subscript 2peak] obtained from the PACER and PACER-MEQ was high in boys, r(324) = 0.79, R[superscript 2] = 0.63, and moderate in girls, r(356) = 0.57, R[superscript 2] = 0.33. The MAPE for estimates obtained from PACER-MEQ was 10.3% and estimates were deemed equivalent to the PACER (43.1 ± 6.9 mL/kg/min vs. 44.6 ± 0.3 mL/kg/min). Classification agreement as illustrated by sensitivity and specificity ranged from 20.4% to 90.2% and was higher for classifications in the Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ). Kappa statistics ranged from 0.14 to 0.51 and were also higher for the HFZ. Conclusions: Equated PACER laps can be used to obtain equivalent estimates of PACER VO[subscript 2peak] in groups of adolescents, but some disparities can be found when students' scores are classified into the Needs Improvement Zone.