The use of Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1 and Andersen testing to fitness and maximal heart rate assessments of 6- to 10-year-old school children

We evaluated a submaximal and maximal version of the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1 children's (YYIR1C) test and the Andersen test for fitness and maximal heart rate assessments of children aged 6.10 years. Two repetitions of the YYIR1C and Andersen tests were carried out within 1 week by 6-to 7-year-olds and 8-to 9-yearolds (grade 0, n = 17; grade 2, n = 16) and 6 weeks apart by 9-to 10-year-olds (grade 3, n = 49). Grade 0.2 pupils also performed an incremental treadmill test (ITT). Grade 2 pupils had a better (p < 0.05) YYIR1C (84%; 994 ± 399 m (±SD) vs. 536 ± 218 m) and Andersen test performance (10%; 1,050 ± 71 m vs. 955 ± 56 m) than grade 0 pupils. For grade 0.2 pupils, YYIR1C, Andersen, and ITT peak heart rates were 205 ± 11, 207 ± 9, and 203 ± 7 b.min ^-1, respectively (Andersen > ITT, p < 0.05), and for grade 3 pupils, YYIR1C and Andersen peak heart rates were 208 ± 9 and 204 ± 9 b.min ^-1, respectively (YYIR1C. Andersen, p < 0.05). Submaximal YYIR1C heart rate (HR) was inversely correlated (p < 0.05) with YYIR1C test performance (r = 20.54 to 20.67) and V̇O ₂peak (r = 20.42). The 6-week change in submaximal HR correlated with the change in YYIR1C test performance (r = 20.42 to 20.53, p < 0.05). In conclusion, YYIR1C and Andersen tests are simple and inexpensive intermittent field tests that can detect differences in fitness levels and determine maximal HR of 6-to 10-year-old children. Additionally, submaximal YYIR1C testing can be used for frequent nonexhaustive fitness assessments.