@article{ajssm2017531,
author={{Mitchell, Ryan D. and Crandall, Caitlyn},
title={Validation of the 15 Minute Balke Field Test for Competitive, Adult 5K Runners: From Treadmill VO<SUB>2max</SUB> Testing to Enhancing Performance},
journal={American Journal of Sports Science and Medicine},
volume={5},
number={3},
pages={44--47},
year={2017},
url={http://pubs.sciepub.com/ajssm/5/3/1},
issn={2333-4606},
abstract={The purpose of this study was to determine the validity of a 15 minute field test of VO<SUB>2max</SUB> in competitive adult male and female 5k runners and analyze the factors that contribute to the VO<SUB>2max</SUB> of runners in the field versus on a treadmill. Nineteen trained, endurance runners completed a graded treadmill test and a 15 minute field test on a 400 m track (the Balke field test) to independently determine VO<SUB>2max</SUB>.<i> </i>We compared the data using a paired sample t-test, Pearson¡¯s correlation, and multiple linear regression. Treadmill VO<SUB>2max</SUB> of runners was significantly higher than the VO<SUB>2max</SUB> determined by the 15 minute field test (56.9 +/- 5.3 ml/min/kg vs. 52.7 +/- 4.3 ml/min/kg, t(18) = 6.609, p = 000). We found a strong correlation when both treadmill pace at VO<SUB>2max</SUB> and treadmill VO<SUB>2max</SUB> were used as predictive factors for field VO<SUB>2max</SUB> (r<SUP>2</SUP> = 848, p = .000) with treadmill pace at VO<SUB>2max</SUB> having the strongest associative power in the correlation (¦Â = .636, p = 001). The 15 minute field test is an adequate test of 5K race readiness, with the addition of treadmill test giving athletes and coaches an assessment of race fitness relative to aerobic capacity. In addition to treadmill VO<SUB>2max</SUB>, coaches and athletes must consider additional performance factors such as treadmill pace at VO<SUB>2max</SUB>, lactate threshold, running economy, motivation, etc. for the prediction of field or performance VO<SUB>2max</SUB>.},
doi={10.12691/ajssm-5-3-1}
publisher={Science and Education Publishing}
}