Validation of the Rockport Fitness Walking Test for adults with mental retardation

Abstract

This study determined if the generalized equations created for the Rockport Fitness Walking Test were a valid estimation of cardiorespiratory fitness for adults with mental retardation (MR). Subjects included 25 males and females (X̄ age = 33.3 ± 7.4 yr) with MR. A maximal treadmill test was administered (X̄ V̇O2peak = 29.5 ± 7.2 ml·kg−1·min−1; 2.2 ± 0.62 1·min−1). Subjects' age, weight, sex, walk time, and immediate post-HR were used in the generalized equations for predicting V̇O2peak (X̄ V̇O2peak = 36.5 ± 7.6 ml·kg−1·min−1 and 2.7 ± 0.66 1·min−1). Significant correlations (P < 0.01) were obtained between the measured and predicted peak V̇O2 levels. However, significant and consistent differences were also observed between the measured and predicted V̇O2peak values (P < 0.02). Only 28% (1·min−1) and 36% (ml·kg−1min−1) of the subjects' measured V̇O2peak fell within the prespecified value of the predicted V̇O2peak, thus indicating that the prediction equations overestimated the V̇O2peak and cardiovascular fitness levels of adults with MR.