Development of a field test for evaluating aerobic fitness in middle-aged adults: Validity of a 15-m incremental shuttle walk and run test

The purpose of this study was to develop a standardized and externally paced field test (15-m incremental shuttle walk and run test [15miswrt]),incorporating an incremental and progressive structure,to assess aerobic fitness in middle-aged adults. 68 middle-aged men performed three tests in random order between one to two week intervals: 15-m iswrt,cardiopulmonary exercise test (cpx),and 1500-m fast walk. variables evaluated were 15-m iswrt performance (distance completed),vo2max measured by cpx,1500-m fast walk performance (walking time),and hr response in 15-m iswrt and 1500-m fast walk. validity of the 15-m iswrt was tested by comparing the associations among the 15-m iswrt performance,vo2max and the 1500-m fast walk performance. changes in hr response during the 15-m iswrt and the 1500-m fast walk were also compared. correlations between each variable were as follows: the correlation between 15-m iswrt performance and vo2max was very high,r = 0.86 (p < 0.01),the correlation between the 1500-m fast walk and vo2max was r = -0.51 (p < 0.01). hr response during the 15-m iswrt gently increased initially,whereas hr response during the 1500-m fast walk rapidly increased from the start. in conclusion,our findings indicate that the 15-m iswrt is valid and safe for evaluating vo2max in middle-aged adults.