Abstract
Purpose: Examine the validity of cardiorespiratory fitness field tests, including 600-m run/walk, 800-m run/walk, 9-min run/walk and 6-min walk, for elementary obese male students. Methods: Eighteen elementary obese male students aged 11-12 yrs were recruited in the study. Each participant completed an incremental exercise test to evaluate the maximal oxygen consumption (V4O2max), and then performed four cardiorespiratory field tests, including the 600-m run/walk, 800-m run/walk, 9-min run/walk and 6-min walk test. The time required or the distances finished in those tests were defined as cardiorespiratory fitness. Data were analyzed by Pearson's product-moment correlation to verify the correlation between V4O2max and each of the four field tests performance. Besides, the coefficient of determination (r^2) derived from linear regression analysis was defined as validity. Results: The 600- m run/walk, 800-m run/walk, 9-min run/walk and 6-min walk test were significantly correlated to V4O2max, respectively (r=-.78, r=-.78, r=.70, r=.60, p ＜ .05). The coefficient of determination (r^2) for the four field tests were .60、.61、.49 and .36, while the standard error of estimates (SEE) was 3.34-s, 3.32-s, 3.78-s, and 4.27-s. Conclusion: All of the four tests were effective in evaluating the cardiorespiratory fitness for elementary obese male students. In terms of time efficiency, the 600-m run/walk test would be recommended for this specific population.