Comparison of two versions of the PACER aerobic fitness test

dc.contributor.author McClain, James
dc.contributor.department Kinesiology
dc.date 2020-11-09T01:21:04.000
dc.date.accessioned 2021-02-26T08:57:53Z
dc.date.available 2021-02-26T08:57:53Z
dc.date.copyright Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 UTC 2004
dc.date.issued 2004-01-01
dc.description.abstract <p>The PACER test (a 20m aerobic shuttle run performed to a timed cadence) has proven to be a valid and reliable assessment of aerobic capacity in children. A problem that limits the overall utility of the PACER is that many schools do not have gyms or physical education classrooms large enough to administer the test. Purpose: This study compared the utility of the standard 20m PACER test with an alternative 15m PACER protocol in 5th and 8th grade children. Methods: A total of 171 students in 5th (M, n=37; F, n=31) and 8th (M, n=60; F, n=43) grade completed a 15m and 20m PACER protocol in a counterbalanced design. Trials were conducted in consecutive weeks at the same time of day. Correlations were computed between VO2 max estimates from the two tests. Estimates of VO2 max were directly compared using a two-way (gender x grade) Repeated Measures ANOVA. Classification agreement was also evaluated based on the FITNESSGRAM criterion referenced standards. Results: The overall difference in estimated VO2 max between the two tests was 1.2 ml/kg/min, and this multivariate F test was significant, [F(1,167)=15.7, p<.001]. The difference was slightly larger for males than females so the gender by method interaction was significant [F(1,167)=4.20, p=.042]. The overall effect sizes for these differences were small (<.30) and probably not of clinical significance. The overall correlation of VO2 estimates between the tests was moderate ([underlined r]=0.76). Correlations between VO2 max estimates were slightly higher for males ([underlined r]=0.79) than for females ([underlined r]=0.67). Correlations were higher for the 8th grade children (M, [underlined r]=0.85; F, [underlined r]=0.71) than for 5th grade children(M, [underlined r]=0.61; F, [underlined r]=0.53). The classification agreement based on meeting or not meeting the FITNESSGRAM criterion referenced standards were 88% for males and 91% for females. Conclusion: Overall, the results suggest the 15m and 20m PACER protocols provide similar information about aerobic fitness in youth. The 15m PACER protocol provides a useful alternative to the 20m protocol for schools with smaller physical education facilities.</p>
dc.format.mimetype application/pdf
dc.identifier archive/lib.dr.iastate.edu/rtd/20752/
dc.identifier.articleid 21751
dc.identifier.contextkey 20115211
dc.identifier.doi https://doi.org/10.31274/rtd-20201107-309
dc.identifier.s3bucket isulib-bepress-aws-west
dc.identifier.submissionpath rtd/20752
dc.identifier.uri https://dr.lib.iastate.edu/handle/20.500.12876/98119
dc.language.iso en
dc.source.bitstream archive/lib.dr.iastate.edu/rtd/20752/McClain_ISU_2004_M425.pdf|||Fri Jan 14 22:28:03 UTC 2022
dc.subject.keywords Health and human performance
dc.subject.keywords Exercise and sport science (Biological basis of physical activity)
dc.subject.keywords Biological basis of physical activity
dc.title Comparison of two versions of the PACER aerobic fitness test
dc.type article
dc.type.genre thesis
dspace.entity.type Publication
relation.isOrgUnitOfPublication f7b0f2ca-8e43-4084-8a10-75f62e5199dd
thesis.degree.discipline Exercise and Sport Science (Biological Basis of Physical Activity)
thesis.degree.level thesis
thesis.degree.name Master of Science
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