Validation of the 15 Minute Balke Field Test for Competitive, Adult 5K Runners: From Treadmill VO 2max Testing to Enhancing Performance

The purpose of this study was to determine the validity of a 15 minute field test of VO2max in competitive adult male and female 5k runners and analyze the factors that contribute to the VO2max of runners in the field versus on a treadmill. Nineteen trained, endurance runners completed a graded treadmill test and a 15 minute field test on a 400 m track (the Balke field test) to independently determine VO2max. We compared the data using a paired sample t-test, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple linear regression. Treadmill VO2max of runners was significantly higher than the VO2max determined by the 15 minute field test (56.9 +/- 5.3 ml/min/kg vs. 52.7 +/- 4.3 ml/min/kg, t(18) = 6.609, p = 000). We found a strong correlation when both treadmill pace at VO2max and treadmill VO2max were used as predictive factors for field VO2max (r2 = 848, p = .000) with treadmill pace at VO2max having the strongest associative power in the correlation (β = .636, p = 001). The 15 minute field test is an adequate test of 5K race readiness, with the addition of treadmill test giving athletes and coaches an assessment of race fitness relative to aerobic capacity. In addition to treadmill VO2max, coaches and athletes must consider additional performance factors such as treadmill pace at VO2max, lactate threshold, running economy, motivation, etc. for the prediction of field or performance VO2max.