Does the Multistage 20-m Shuttle Run Test Accurately Predict VO in NCAA Division I Women Collegiate Field Hockey Athletes?

Laboratory assessments of maximal oxygen uptake (VO) are considered the "gold standard" for ascertaining cardiovascular fitness, but they are not always practical for use in team sport settings. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to compare the criterion assessment of VO on a treadmill to the progressive, multistage 20-m shuttle run test (i.e., Beep test), and to determine the predictability of 6 previously established Beep test predictive equations (i.e., Chatterjee, Flouris, Leger, Leger and Gadoury, Ramsbottom, St. Clair-Gibson). Collegiate women field hockey athletes (n = 65, mean±SD: age 19.6 ± 1.2 years; weight 64.7 ± 6.1 kg) completed criterion VO (mean ± SD: 46.4 ± 4.6 mLkgmin) and Beep tests to volitional fatigue. According to Bland-Altman and Ordinary Least Products Regressions, the Ramsbottom (46.5 ± 4.2 mLkgmin) and Flouris (46.3 ± 3.8 mLkgmin) equations were considered valid predictions of criterion measured VO (46.4 ± 4.6). The Chatterjee, Leger, Leger and Gadoury, and St. Clair-Gibson equations overestimated VO, and are not recommended for use with women collegiate field hockey athletes. The Ramsbottom and Flouris estimates of VO from 20-m shuttle performances may be used in this population. For accurate estimates of VO, the clientele's age, fitness level, and training history should be considered when selecting equations.