New Regression Equations for Estimating the Maximal Oxygen Uptake of College of Physical Education and Sports Students in Turkey

Abstract

Aerobic endurance describes the ability of the body’s cardio-respiratory system to perform physical activity for an extended period of time and resist fatigue. Standard tests to determine aerobic endurance involves measuring the maximum volume of oxygen (VO2max) an athlete uses up while exercising at maximal capacity. Given that the tests of direct measurement of VO2max needs expensive equipment, a great deal of time, and trained staff with expertise, many researchers have attempted to find indirect and simpler ways of predicting VO2max based on prediction equations. The aim of this study is to establish new prediction equations for estimating the VO2max from gender, age, height, weight, body mass index (BMİ), maximal heart rate (HRmax) and test time (TT) for college-aged students in Turkey. Particularly, 18 students from the College of Physical Education and Sports at Gazi University volunteered for this study. Gender has been used as a common predictor variable in all prediction models. By using different combinations of the rest of predictor variables together with the common predictor variable, twelve VO2max prediction equations have been established with the help of Multiple Linear Regression (MLR). The performance of the prediction equations have been evaluated using two well-known metrics, namely standard error of estimate (SEE) and multiple correlation coefficient (R). The results reveal that the regression equation, VO2max = - (12.331 x gender) - (0.805 x age ) + (0.883 x height) - (1.167 x weight) - (0.052 x HRmax) - (0.158 x TT) + 6.473, gave the lowest SEE (i.e3.49 mL.kg-1.min-1) and the highest R (i.e. 0.88). Application of this VO2max regression equation on an independent validation group including 6 subjects yielded an SEE of 6.24 mL.kg-1.min-1.İt can be concluded that in situations where it is difficult or even not possible to measure VO2max using exercise tests, coaches and trainers may use the given equation to predict VO2max of College of Physical Education and Sports students with acceptable error rates.