Estimation of aerobic fitness from PACER performance with and without body mass index

Purpose: To develop models to estimate aerobic fitness (VO2max) from PACER performance in 10- to 18-year-old youth, with and without body mass index (BMI) as a predictor. Method: Youth (N = 280) completed the PACER and a maximal treadmill test to assess VO2max. Validation and cross-validation groups were randomly formed to develop and examine accuracy of models. Participants were classified into FitnessGram® Healthy Fitness Zone categories based on measured and estimated VO2max and criterion-referenced validity was evaluated. Results: Multiple correlations between measured and estimated VO2max ranged from .70 to .73, with standard errors of estimate between 6.43 and 6.68 mL·kg−1·min−1. Accuracy with and without BMI was nearly identical. Overall, criterion-referenced validity evidence was moderate. Conclusion: Moderately accurate and feasible models were developed. Minimal improvement in accuracy was noted when BMI was added as a predictor. The model with PACER and age as predictors has a high level of utility for youth fitness testing.