The Reliability of Four Measures of Cardiovascular Fitness with Mentally Retarded Adults

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the test-retest reliability of four submaximum oxygen uptake (VO2) test protocols: (a) Modified Physical Working Capacity Cycle Ergometry, (b) Balke Ware Treadmill, (c) Canadian Step Test, and (d) Cooper Twelve-Minute Run/Walk in predicting the cardiovascular fitness of adults who were mentally retarded. The subjects worked in a sheltered workshop setting (N=17, M age=35 years, M IQ=54). The four submaximal VO2 tests were administered over eight sessions with test–retest reliability scores determined by administering each protocol separately and 1 week apart. An intraclass correlation coefficient revealed the following scores on each of the four protocols: Modified PWC Cycle Ergometry, R=.64; Balke Ware Treadmill, R=.93; Canadian Step Test, R=.95; Cooper Twelve-Minute Run/Walk, R=.81. Discussion includes considerations for administering predictor VO2 tests with persons who are mentally retarded. In this particular investigation the Balke Ware Treadmill Test (R=.93) and the Canadian Step Test (R=.95) revealed the highest reliability scores.