PREDICTORS OF PHYSICAL FITNESS IN A COLLEGE SAMPLE

Summary.-The present study examined the relationships among self-reported amounts of exercise, body composition, age, weight, blood pressure, and physical fitness. Participants reported their duration and frequency of exercise, which were combined to obtain individual indexes of exercise. VO, max predicted from a 1-mi. walk test, percent body far via sum of slunfolds, blood pressure, and flexibility of the lower back and posterior thigh were measured. Findtngs indicated that age and exercise index were significant predictors of Fitness for women, and percent body Fat was a significant predictor for men. Results bi~gjics individuals' exercise index moderately correlates with fitness, although it is nor [he only contributing factor. The most important measure of physical fitness is cardiorespiratory endurance, reflecting the ability of the heart, blood vessels, and muscles to take in, transport, and utdize oxygen to generate energy. Cardiorespiratory endurance, which should be included in all physical fitness evaluations (Heyward, 1998), is best measured by maximum oxygen uptake. VO~ max can be Arectly measured using metabolic measurements and a complex, tirne-consuming graded exercise test; however, it is commonly predicted based on the results of a walking or running field test. Cardinal (1996) suggested that alternative measures of VOz max may be self-reported exercise or other variables which have little or no risk to participants. In the present study, selfreported exercise, percent body fat, flexibility, blood pressure, age, and weight were examined as predictors of VOz max resulting in a more comprehensive set of variables than in Cardinal's study (1996). Method.-College students were 25 men (M age = 20.4 yr., SD= 3.5) and 54 women (M age=2O.O, SD=4.9), freshmen enrolled in a required lifetime health and fitness course at a southern university. Measures obtained were V02 max prechcted from a 1-mi. walk test, flexibility of the lower back and posterior thigh (Hoeger & Hoeger, 1999), percent body fat via sum of skinfold measures (Hoeger & Hoeger, 1999), systolic and Aastolic blood pressure, participants' age, and participants' weight.