Normative reference values for the 20 m shuttle‐run test in a population‐based sample of school‐aged youth in Bogota, Colombia: the FUPRECOL study

Abstract

ObjectivesOur aim was to determine the normative reference values of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and to establish the proportion of subjects with low CRF suggestive of future cardio‐metabolic risk.MethodsA total of 7244 children and adolescents attending public schools in Bogota, Colombia (55.7% girls; age range of 9–17.9 years) participated in this study. We expressed CRF performance as the nearest stage (minute) completed and the estimated peak oxygen consumption (V˙O2peak). Smoothed percentile curves were calculated. In addition, we present the prevalence of low CRF after applying a correction factor to account for the impact of Bogota's altitude (2625 m over sea level) on CRF assessment, and we calculated the number of participants who fell below health‐related FITNESSGRAM cut‐points for low CRF.ResultsShuttles and V˙O2peak were higher in boys than in girls in all age groups. In boys, there were higher levels of performance with increasing age, with most gains between the ages of 13 and 17. The proportion of subjects with a low CRF, suggestive of future cardio‐metabolic risk (health risk FITNESSGRAM category) was 31.5% (28.2% for boys and 34.1% for girls; X2 P = .001). After applying a 1.11 altitude correction factor, the overall prevalence of low CRF was 11.5% (9.6% for boys and 13.1% for girls; X2 P = .001).ConclusionsOur results provide sex‐ and age‐specific normative reference standards for the 20 m shuttle‐run test and estimated V˙O2peak values in a large, population‐based sample of schoolchildren from a large Latin‐American city at high altitude.

Prediction Equation for Shuttle Run Distance Using 20 Metre Shuttle Run Test in Healthy, Indian Children Aged 7 to 19 Years.

“…Boys covered a greater shuttle run distance than girls as expected. This could be attributed to a greater muscle mass, higher muscle strength in boys as compared to girls 16,17 which is in agreement with the previous trials.…”

“…The present study is the first large study to investigate potential demographic and anthropometric determinants to shuttle run distance in healthy Indian children and to propose a predictive equation.Equations derived from other non -Indian populations commonly overestimated shuttle run distance in relation to the values 16 obtained for Indian subjects -due to differences in race and ethnicity. Reference equations would permit a more appropriate functional evaluation of Indian children.…”

Physical fitness standards in students from the province of Neuquén, Argentina. Physical Fitness Assessment Plan study

“…16,23 The speed/agility levels in both male and female participants were similar to those found in a study from Uruguay. 23 The cardiorespiratory component outcomes in both male and female participants were similar to those of three studies from Uruguay, Chile, and Colombia, 16,23,24 but lower than those of three other studies from Canada, 25 Colombia (adjusted for altitude) 17 , and Colombia (ethnicity). 26 Lastly, it is worth noting a limitation of this study: rural schools were not included due to logistical reasons.…”

“…15 Males showed a better PF performance, which was consistent with several studies. 10,[16][17][18] Such difference was the result of various morphofunctional, psychosocial, and physical activity habit factors. 19,20…”

Cycling to School and Body Composition, Physical Fitness, and Metabolic Syndrome in Children and Adolescents

“…Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed with the 20-meter shuttle run test (20mSRT). 19 This test requires participants to run back and forth between 2 lines set 20 meters apart. Running speed started at 8.5 km/hour and was increased by 0.5 km/ hour each minute, reaching 18.0 km/hour per minute.…”