european college of sport science

PP-TT11 Training and Testing 11
conclusion, the equation of this study can be used for the estimation of vVO2max, so as to use this variable for the prescription of interval
endurance training.
References
1. Leger, LA et al. (1988), J Sports Sci, 93-101.
2. Billat, V. (2001), Sports Med, 31 (1):13-31.
3. Malek, M et al. (2004), Med. Sci. Sports. Exerc. 36(8): 1427- 1432.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MAXIMAL ISOMETRIC STRENGTH AND MUSCLE ENDURANCE
NIEMI, J., VAARA, J., OHRANKÄMMEN, O.,3, SANTTILA, M., HÄKKINEN, K., FORSSTEN, A.S., KYRÖLÄINEN, H.,2
1. NATIONAL DEFENCE UNIVERSITY, 2. UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ, FINLAND, 3. TRAINING DIVISION OF DEFENCE COMMAND
Introduction: Good levels of both aerobic and neuromuscular fitness are of great importance in order to ensure sufficient physical performance
of soldiers. Thus, it is essential to further develop field fitness tests which are valid to measure the true aerobic and neuromuscular
performance. The purpose of the present study was to examine how well the present muscle fitness tests can evaluate maximal
strength of different muscle groups. More specifically, our interest was to examine the relationships between bilateral isometric maximal
strength of the arm and leg extensors and muscle endurance of the respective muscles.
Methods: Bilateral isometric maximal strength of the arm and leg extensors, grip strength, muscle endurance (recording of the number of
repetitions in one-minute push-up, sit-up and squat actions) and VO2max were measured from a total of 783 reservists. Their mean age
was 24 ± 2.8 yrs., height 1.80 ± 0.06 m, body mass 80.3 ± 13.5 kg, and percentage of body fat 17.8 ± 7.2 %. Muscle fitness index (MFI)
was calculated from the results of muscle endurance tests. Overall physical fitness index (PFI) was further calculated from MFI and
VO2max.
Results: Mean (±SD) bilateral isometric strength was 2917 ± 868 N for the leg extensors and 898 ± 201 N for the arm extensors, and that
of grip strength 53 ± 9 kg. The number of reps/min was 38 ± 10 in sit-ups, 28 ± 12 in push-ups and 43 ± 8 in squats. Mean VO2max was
41.6 ± 8.1 mlkg-1min-1. Significant correlations were found between maximal strength of the arm extensors and repeated
push-ups (r = 0.58, p < 0.001) as well as between repeated squats and VO2max (r = 0.55, p < 0.001). Bilateral isometric maximal
force of the arm extensors correlated significantly with MFI and PFI (r = 0.51, p < 0.001; and r = 0.47, p = 0.001, respectively). No significant
relationships were observed between maximal isometric strength of the arm or leg extensors and that of VO2max as well as between
grip strength and MFI or PFI.
Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that in a large group of subjects with great interindividual variation in physical fitness, the
present muscle endurance tests seem to measure not only the level of muscle fitness, but also to some extent that of maximal strength.
The relationship between maximal strength and muscle fitness was found in push-ups but not in repeated squats. However, the performance
in repeated squats was related with VO2max, whereas that of push ups did not. Thus, it seems that muscle fitness measured
by push-ups also relies on maximal strength, while the level of aerobic capacity contributes to performance in repeated squats. This may
be explained by a higher relative load (body weight) of maximal strength in push-ups than in repeated squats. In conclusion, the present
muscle fitness tests seem to measure rather well the overall fitness profile of soldiers, and the contributive role of maximal strength could
be indentified for the arm but not for leg extensor muscles.
THE VALIDITY OF POLAR FITNESS TEST IS ASIAN POPULATION
LAUKKANEN, R., KANG, S.
UNIVERSITY OF OULU, SANG MYUNG UNIVERSITY
THE VALIDITY OF POLAR FITNESS TEST IN ASIAN POPULATION
Raija Laukkanen*,** & Suhjung Kang***
*Polar Electro Oy, Finland, ** University of Oulu, Finland, ***Sang Myung University, Seoul, Korea
Introduction: Polar Fitness Test (PFT) is a simple method to predict cardiorespiratory fitness. PFT predicts maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max)
based on age, gender, height, weight, resting heart rate and heart rate variability measurements and amount of physical activity. The test
has been developed and validated in Caucasian population (Väinämö 1996, Kinnunen 2000). The purpose of this study was to examine
the validity of PFT in predicting the VO2max in Asian (Korea) population.
Methods: Sixty volunteer 20~49 years old female (n=30) and male (n=30) subjects participated in this study. All subjects were healthy and
they did not use any medication. The mean(SD) of weight and height for the groups were: male 72.8 (8.4) kg, female 58.6 (9.4) kg and
male 174.7 (5.9) cm, female 162.6 (5.6) cm.
Prior to maximal stress test, PFT was tested using Polar FT60 training computer (Polar Electro Oy, Finland). Activity level was classified
according frequency and intensity of weekly exercise during past 3 months. The subjects resting HR and R-R intervals were recorded
during quiet lying on the bed for 5 minutes.
Maximal stress test was performed using Bruce protocol. At each stage during the stress test, expired gases were collected and analyzed
continuously (Trueone2400, USA). Criteria for attaining VO2max were as follows: heart rate at least 85% of the age-specific maximum
(220-age), respiratory quotient (RQ) over 1.1, and voluntarily maximum (RPE higher than 17).To exam the mean differences of PFT and
VO2max from laboratory test in each group, paired t-test was used. Also, the data was analyzed using the principle presented by Bland
& Altman, and the total error of the prediction (E) was calculated.
Results: The mean(SD) values and E of PFT and VO2max by the laboratory test in ml/kg/min are as follows. Male: PFT 43.3 (7.8),
VO2maxlab 43.5 (7.0), (E 12.3), Female: PFT 34.3 (4.4), VO2maxlab 35.7 (6.7), (E 10.4). The mean differences by two methods in male (t=-
.182, Sig=.857) and female (t=-1.258, Sig=.218) were not significantly different.
Discussion: Measurements during exercise are the most common methods used to predict cardiorespiratory fitness. However, the current
results showed that measurement from resting can be used to predict cardiorespiratory fitness. Our results show that PFT is a valid
test to predict cardiorespiratory fitness in Koreans. However, in some individuals PFT may under-or overestimate the laboratory VO2max.
The results of this study should be confirmed in other Asian populations and in individuals with various ages and activity status.
References
Kinnunen et al (2000). Med Sci Sports Exerc 32(5), 1535.
Väinämö et al. (1996).Proceeding of ICNN, Washington DC, June 3-6, 1939-1949.
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