Evaluation and Comparison of 300-yd and 500-yd Shallow Water Run Tests as Predictors of Aerobic Power

Abstract

The purposes of the study were to assess and compare the validity of both 300-yd and 500-yd shallow water run (SWR) tests to predict peak aerobic power (VO 2peak). Par-ticipants included 18 women and 18 men who performed a graded exercise treadmill test to predict VO 2peak and then performed a 300-yd and 500-yd SWR for time. In addition to SWR times, other independent variables included age, gender, body weight, height, leg length, percent body fat, and 300-yd and 500-yd SWR heart rate and rating of perceived exertion. Correlation coefficients with measured VO 2peak were r = -.84 and -.87 for the 300-yd and 500-yd SWR times, respectively. Multiple regres-sion analyses revealed that prediction of VO 2peak from 300-yd SWR time improved by including gender and body weight (R = .919; SEE = 0.360 L·min -1). Similarly, predic-tion of VO 2peak improved from 500-yd SWR time by including gender, body weight, and leg length (R = .940; SEE = 0.316 L·min -1). Equations were also developed for use in pools of varying water depths. In conclusion, the 300-yd and 500-yd SWR tests can provide accurate and valid estimates of aerobic power. Recently, aquatic exercise has become a popular method of training and con-ditioning. Individuals of all fitness levels and health conditions are discovering that water exercise provides a relatively injury-free environment from physical injuries associated with land-based exercise. Specifically, aquatic exercise reduces the likelihood of injuries from high-impact, overuse, and heat-related problems typically associated with land-based exercise (Koszuta, 1986). Shallow water run-ning, the most common mode of aquatic exercise (Midtlyng & Nelson, 1991), has become a simple alternative and/or supplement to land-based running programs. Aerobic power is related to the risk of cardiorespiratory diseases, circulatory diseases, and all-cause mortality in men and women (Blair et al., 1989). Aerobic power determines the peak amount of oxygen that can be used by the body during moderate-to high-intensity exercise lasting longer than four or five minutes. The direct measurement of peak oxygen uptake rate (VO 2peak) during a graded exercise test is the most accurate assessment of aerobic power (Shepard, 1968; Taylor et