The aim of the present study was to analyze the validity of predictive equation proposed by Cureton et al. (1995) for VO2peak = -8.41 (MRW) + 0.34 (MRW) 2 + 0.21 (Age x Gender) -0.84 (BMI) + 108.94" on estimating the VO2max of young Brazilians from a 1600-m running performance, and to suggest a predictive equation specific for this population. 30 physically active young men (23±3.1age; 74.8±5.8kg; 1.78±0.05m; 49.8±6.5mL.kg-¹.min-1) who were submitted to an incremental exercise test (IT) on treadmill until exhaustion with gas analysis participated in this study. Subjects also performed a 1600-m running track test as fast as possible. The volunteers were randomly sorted in two groups: G1 - to generate a specific predictive equation for VO2max, and G2 - to apply both predictive equations (actual and from Cureton et al.) to evaluate their validity on estimating VO2max in a Brazilian population sample. Significant differences were observed between VO2max directly identified on IT through gas analysis (50.1±7.1 mL.kg-¹.min-¹) in relation to the results obtained by the predictive equation proposed by Cureton et al. (1995) (44.2±6.5mL.kg-¹.min-¹) with a weak relationship between them (r = 0.21). The relationship between the VO2max on IT and the running velocity on 1600-m as obtained for G1 resulted in the following predictive equation: (VO2max = 0.177*1600Vm(m.min-1) + 8,101). When this new equation was applied on the participants of G2, the predicted VO2max (50.1±7.2mL.kg-¹.min-¹) did not differ from VO2max determined directly on IT (50.1±7.1mL.kg-¹.min-¹) with a high correlation between them (r = 0.81). Thus, it was concluded that the Cureton et al. predictive equation developed with a North Americanpopulation sample as grounding, underestimated the VO2max of physically active young Brazilians. On the other hand, the predictive equation proposed on the present study was considered valid for this purpose through the 1600-m running performance for our participants.
field test; oxygen consumption; indirect evaluation
