Development and Validation of a PACER Prediction Equation for VO2peak in 10- to 15-Year-Old Youth

Previous progressive aerobic cardiovascular endurance run (PACER) equations were developed to estimate peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) from data collected during treadmill running. No equation has been developed using VO2peak assessed during the PACER. Purpose: To develop and validate a prediction equation to estimate VO2peak from the PACER in 10- to 15-year-olds. Methods: A sample of 163 youth were recruited to develop (n = 101) and validate (n = 62) a prediction equation. VO2peak was measured using a portable metabolic unit. Regression analysis yielded a prediction equation that included laps, body mass index, and interaction between sex and age. Correlations and repeated-measures analysis of variances were used to compare the measured and estimated VO2peak from the new Scott et al equation and 2 commonly used FitnessGram™ (Mahar et al 2011 and Mahar et al 2018) equations, and the impact of sex on predicted VO2peak. Results: Predicted VO2peak from the Mahar et al 2011 and 2018 equations was significan...