ukactive Research Institute, 26-28 Bedford Row, London, WC1R 4HE, UK.
Centre for Sport and Exercise Science, School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, UK.
Sports Med. 2016 Dec;46(12):1819-1831. doi: 10.1007/s40279-016-0553-6.
Previous research has reported the validity and reliability of a range of field-based tests of children's cardiorespiratory fitness. These two criteria are critical in ensuring the integrity and credibility of data derived through such tests. However, the criterion of scalability has received little attention. Scalability determines the degree to which tests developed on small samples in controlled settings might demonstrate real-world value, and is of increasing interest to policymakers and practitioners. The present paper proposes a method by which the scalability of cardiorespiratory field-based tests suitable for school-aged children might be assessed. We developed an algorithm to estimate scalability based on a six-component model; delivery, evidence of operating at scale, effectiveness, costs, resource requirements and practical implementation. We tested the algorithm on data derived through a systematic review of research that has used relevant fitness tests. A total of 229 studies that had used field based cardiorespiratory fitness tests to measure children's fitness were identified. Initial analyses indicated that the 5-min run test did not meet accepted criteria for reliability, whilst the 6-min walk test likewise failed to meet the criteria for validity. Of the remainder, a total of 28 studies met the inclusion criteria, 22 reporting the 20-m shuttle-run and seven the 1-mile walk/run. Using the scalability algorithm we demonstrate that the 20-m shuttle run test is substantially more scalable than the 1-mile walk/run test, with tests scoring 34/48 and 25/48, respectively. A comprehensive analysis of scalability was prohibited by the widespread non-reporting of data, for example, those relating to cost-effectiveness. Of all sufficiently valid and reliable candidate tests identified, using our algorithm the 20-m shuttle run test was identified as the most scalable. We hope that the algorithm will prove useful in the examination of scalability in either new data relating to existing tests or in data pertaining to new tests.
先前的研究已经报告了一系列基于现场的儿童心肺适能测试的有效性和可靠性。这两个标准对于确保通过这些测试获得的数据的完整性和可信度至关重要。然而，可扩展性标准却很少受到关注。可扩展性决定了在受控环境中小样本开发的测试在多大程度上可能具有实际价值，并且越来越受到政策制定者和实践者的关注。本文提出了一种评估适合学龄儿童的心肺适能现场测试的可扩展性的方法。我们开发了一种基于六组件模型的算法来估计可扩展性；交付、在大规模环境中运行的证据、有效性、成本、资源需求和实际实施。我们在通过对使用相关适应性测试的研究进行系统评价而得出的数据上测试了该算法。总共确定了 229 项使用基于现场的心肺适应性测试来衡量儿童适应性的研究。初步分析表明，5 分钟跑步测试不符合可靠性的公认标准，而 6 分钟步行测试也未能满足有效性的标准。在其余的研究中，共有 28 项研究符合纳入标准，其中 22 项报告了 20 米穿梭跑，7 项报告了 1 英里步行/跑。使用可扩展性算法，我们表明 20 米穿梭跑测试的可扩展性要强于 1 英里步行/跑测试，分别得分为 34/48 和 25/48。由于广泛缺乏数据报告，例如与成本效益相关的数据，因此无法对可扩展性进行全面分析。在所确定的所有足够有效且可靠的候选测试中，使用我们的算法，20 米穿梭跑测试被确定为最具可扩展性的测试。我们希望该算法在检查现有测试的新数据或新测试的数据时，将证明是有用的。
