Prediction of maximal aerobic power from the 20-m multi-stage shuttle run test.

The purpose of this study was to test the accuracy of the 20-m multi-stage shuttle run (SR) test to predict VO2max in young adults. VO2max was measured during a graded treadmill test in 60 men and 62 women (mean age 25.3 and 25.1 years, respectively). Each subject was familiarized with the SR procedure and the completed the SR test to predict VO2max on a separate day. The mean terminal SR stage was 9.5 for men and 7.8 for women. The regression equations of Léger et al. (1988) and Léger and Gadoury (1989) systematically underpredicted VO2max for both males and females (p < 0.05). New regression equations were developed from present data to predict VO2max for males: Y = 2.75X + 28.8 (r2 = 0.77, SEE = 4.07 ml.kg-1.min-1); and for females: Y = 2.85X + 25.1 (r2 = 0.66, SEE = 3.64 ml.kg-1.min-1), where X equals the last half-stage of the SR completed. We suggest that these gender-distinct equations provide more accurate predictions of VO2max from the SR.