VALIDATION OF CARDIOVASCULAR FITNESS FIELD-TESTS IN CHILDREN WITH MENTAL-RETARDATION

The validity of the 600-yard walk/run, the 20-m shuttle run, and a mod ified 16-m shuttle run was determined to measure aerobic capacity (VO2 peak) in children with mild and moderate mental retardation. Practice sessions for all tests were conducted. All field tests were very relia ble, and VO2peak was significantly related to them all. A stepwise mul tiple regression showed that field test performance, body mass index ( BMI), and gender, but not age, were also significant predictors of VO2 peak. All field tests were valid and reliable indicators of aerobic ca pacity, suggesting that these tests can be used to predict VO2max in c hildren with mild and moderate mental retardation.