The objectives of this study were to investigate the reliability, validity, and usefulness of the 30-15 intermittent fitness test (30-15IFT) in soldiers. The 34 infantry members of the Slovenian armed forces were recruited as participants. Participants performed the continuous incremental treadmill test (TR), a 2-mile run (2MR) test, and two 30-15IFT tests. Additionally, participants were divided into a highest-scoring group (HSG) and a lowest-scoring group (LSG) based on their scores on the Army Physical Fitness Test. A very high reliability ratings were observed for 30-15IFT measures, as follows: end-running speed (ERS) ERSIFT (ICC = 0.971), maximal heart rate (HRmax) HRmaxIFT (IC = 0.960), and maximal relative oxygen consumption (VO2max) VO2max-IFT (ICC = 0.975). Although 30-15IFT measures demonstrated high correlations (r = 0.695-0.930) to the same measures of TR test, ERS, HRmax and VO2max were higher in the 30-15IFT (p > 0.05). Furthermore, ERSIFT and predicted VO2maxIFT were higher in HSG compared to LSG, whereas HRmax did not differ. The results of this study show that the 30-15IFT test is a reliable, valid and useful tool for assessing cardiorespiratory fitness in the armed forces. Moreover, the ERS and predicted VO2max values derived from the 30-15IFT could be considered more sensitive markers of combat readiness than the parameters derived from the TR and 2MR tests.Trial registration number: NCT05218798.

• MeSH
• kardiorespirační zdatnost * fyziologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• ozbrojené síly * MeSH
• reprodukovatelnost výsledků MeSH
• spotřeba kyslíku fyziologie   MeSH
• srdeční frekvence fyziologie   MeSH
• tělesná výkonnost fyziologie   MeSH
• zátěžový test metody   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• klinická studie MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the physiological parameters indicative of cardiorespiratory fitness obtained during the 30-15 intermittent fitness (30-15IFT) test and the multistage laboratory treadmill endurance (TR) test differ. Nineteen elite handball players were recruited for the current study and assigned in a cross-over manner to one of two tests to be performed 48 h apart at each visit to the testing facility. The results showed that VO2max (percentage difference [PC] = 6.1%; p = 0.004) and maximal running velocity (V) (PC = 19.4%; p < 0.001) were significantly higher for the 30-15IFT test than that obtained during the TR test. Furthermore, the onset of blood lactate accumulation was shown to be significantly higher for all measures considered to predict it during 30-15IFT compared to TR as follows: VO2max (PC = 12.6%; p = 0.001), running speed (PC = 33.9%; p < 0.001), and maximal heart rate (PC = 7.5%; p < 0.001). The current study highlights the importance of sport-specific testing, particularly for measuring individual cardiorespiratory fitness in elite handball players, as TR may underestimate crucial variables used for both diagnostics and training prescription.

• Klíčová slova
• VO2max, aerobic endurance, aerobic incremental field test, laboratory treadmill test, maximal running speed,
• MeSH
• běh * fyziologie   MeSH
• cvičení MeSH
• kardiorespirační zdatnost * MeSH
• spotřeba kyslíku fyziologie   MeSH
• srdeční frekvence fyziologie   MeSH
• tělesná výkonnost fyziologie   MeSH
• zátěžový test metody   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH