Design and validation of a cardiorespiratory capacity test for preschool children

Abstract

This study aimed to validate the 10x20m test for children aged 3 to 6 years in order to analyse cardiorespiratory capacity. 298 children, 159 boys (age=57.84±10.25 months) and 139 girls (age=56.68±11.00 months), that were randomly selected from three schools in the southeast of Spain participated in this study. The 10x20m test was designed to evaluate aerobic endurance. The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) was selected and used for convergent validity. The analysis of reliability using a test-retest found no significant differences (p≥0.05). As for convergent validity between the 10x20m test and 6MWT, a Pearson correlation coefficient of r= -0.657, (p<0.001) was found. The linear regression analysis yielded a R²=0.432. Regarding gender and age influences, no significant differences (p≥0.05) for any variable according to gender were found, while significant differences were found (p<0.001) in the 10x20m test between age sub-groups. The results showed that the 10x20m test obtained adequate parameters of reliability and validity in healthy children aged 3 to 6 years. Therefore, to assess cardiorespiratory endurance in preschool children this test is valid, reliable and easy-to-perform.

Key words: Cardiorespiratory endurance; Physical fitness; Preschool assessment; Validation.