Purpose: The 6 min walk test (6MWT) is used in clinical and epidemiological practice as a simple tool to evaluate the maximal aerobic exercise capacity (VO₂max). To date, little evidence has been provided regarding regression equation models to predict VO₂max in older adults. Therefore, the main purpose of the study was to develop a reference equation to estimate objectively measured VO₂max, based on the 6MWT, sex, age and body mass index (BMI). Patients and Methods: In this observational prospective study, we collected the data from 233 asymptomatic participants aged 60–80 years (52.4% women). VO₂max and the 6MWT were measured using standardized protocols. BMI was calculated as weight (kg) divided by height squared (m²). To be able to develop the predictive equation for VO₂max, we used linear generalized estimating equations (GEE). Results: Older men performed better in VO₂max (30.9 ± 8.8 vs. 26.3 ± 6.3 mL/kg/min, p < 0.001) and the 6MWT (673.9 ± 58.7 vs. 642.3 ± 48.0 m, p < 0.001), compared to women. VO₂max was correlated with the 6MWT (r = 0.71, p < 0.001), sex (r = −0.29, p < 0.001), age (r = −0.62, p < 0.001) and BMI (r = −0.38, p < 0.001). The model to predict VO₂max included: VO₂max (mL/kg/min) = 59.44 − 3.83 *, sex (1—men; 2—women) − 0.56 *, age (years) − 0.48 *, BMI (kg/m²) + 0.04 *, and the 6MWT (m) (R = 0.85; R² = 72.3%, SEE = 3.99 mL/kg/min, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The newly developed regression equation can be a guideline in clinical and epidemiological practice to predict the VO₂max in apparently healthy older adults.

High-intensity intermittent performance in soccer is widely assessed using the yo-yo intermittent recovery level 2 test (YYIR2). This test is usually associated with aerobic–anaerobic performance. However, less is known about the direct or indirect contributions of abilities, including the anaerobic component. This study aims to propose a three-level model of factors contributing to YYIR2 performance, based on the investigation of relationships with aerobic endurance, repeated-sprint ability (RSA), and the linear and change-of-direction speed and power variables. Eighteen soccer players performed the YYIR2, with a 20-m shuttle run test (20mSR), an RSA test with change-of-direction, 5-m and 20-m sprints, and a 505 test, countermovement jump, squat jump, and drop jump. The results showed a significant relationship between the YYIR2 distance and the 20mSR distance (r = 0.721, p = 0.001), as well as with the RSA test mean time (r = −0.594, p = 0.009). In the second level, the 20mSR distance performance was not associated with any of the speed and power variables. However, the RSA test mean time correlated with the 5-m sprint (r = 0.587, p = 0.010), 20-m sprint (r = 0.702, p = 0.001), and 505 test (r = 0.585 p = 0.011) performance. In the third level, the 20-m sprint time was related to the squat jump (r = −0.577 p = 0.012) and countermovement jump (r = −0.768 p < 0.001) heights. In addition to aerobic endurance, this study highlights the importance of the anaerobic component in YYIR2 performance. More specifically, aerobic endurance (52%) and RSA (36%) are the main determinants of YYIR2 performance. Subsequently, the RSA performance is determined by the linear (34–49%) and change-of-direction speed (35%), while the explosive power of lower limbs contributes to sprinting performance (33–59%). Coaches should focus on the development of these abilities to improve the high-intensity intermittent performance of soccer players.

Objectives: This paper aimed to assess the motor performance in the Burpee Movement Program through the acceleration recorded by the Phyphox mobile app and define its relationship to strength and endurance parameters. Methods: Altogether, 15 students in physical education teaching completed the 3 × 3 min Burpee Movement Program, consisting of the repeated execution of a single burpee with maximum effort at regular intervals triggered by a sound signal. During the load phase, the intensity of the burpee and the fatigue index expressed in percentages were evaluated by means of the acceleration recorded through a mobile phone. In the second part of testing, we evaluated the performance parameters during a bench press and squat where the intensity was measured using a linear displacement transducer (Tendo Power Analyzer) and aerobic endurance was assessed with a 20 m shuttle run test (20 mSR). Results: The average intensity of the burpee ranged from 3.12 to 11.12 ms−2. The fatigue index ranged from −21.95% (which represented an increase in performance) to 33.63% (which represented a decrease in performance). The performances in the bench presses ranged from 58 to 480 W and from 175 to 696 W during the squats. The distance in the 20 m shuttle run test (20 mSR) ranged from 540 to 2000 m. The intensity of the burpee showed a significant correlation to the performances achieved in the bench presses and squats r = 0.82 and 0.79. The fatigue index showed a significant correlation to the 20 m shuttle run test (20 mSR) r = −0.67. Conclusions: These findings indicate that in, our case, the results from the Burpee Movement Program are significantly associated with the participants’ strength and endurance abilities. We recommend using BMP for the development of strength–endurance abilities, but further exploration is needed regarding the potential use of BMP as a diagnostic test.

Field-based assessment tools that capture both physiological and performance-related aspects of exercise are increasingly important for evaluating motor competence in physical and sports education. This study examined the suitability of a field-based burpee protocol for assessing motor performance in physical and sports education and compared responses between adolescents from sports and non-sports classes. 42 participants divided into two groups (sports class n = 21, non-sports class n = 21) completed a 3×3-minute burpee test during which physiological (heart rate), subjective (rating of perceived exertion, technique, endurance), and performance (acceleration) indicators were recorded. All variables met normality criteria according to the Shapiro–Wilk test. The sports and non-sports groups differed significantly in average heart rate and perceived exertion, with the non-sports class demonstrating higher physiological load (p < .05). No significant group differences emerged in technique, endurance, or acceleration, although effect sizes suggested trends favoring the sports class. Across rounds, average acceleration and fatigue index showed a gradual decline, but without significant time effects. Correlation analyses revealed significant relationships among indicators, with higher perceived exertion strongly associated with lower technique, endurance, and acceleration. Exploratory factor analysis identified one latent factor explaining 44.5% of variance, primarily driven by endurance, technique, and acceleration, with perceived exertion loading inversely. The findings suggest that the burpee protocol provides teachers with a feasible field-based tool for assessing motor performance in schools, combining simple observation with the use of a smartphone and rating scales to support practical physical education assessment.

Objectives: The mobile phone has become an inseparable part of everyday life, and are equipped with a variety of sensors that make it possible to monitor different aspects of human activity, including physical exercise. The aim of this study was to verify whether acceleration recorded by a mobile phone can reliably reflect the intensity of strength exercises. Methods: 40 participants with different levels of physical perfor-mance were involved in the experiment. Each subject completed 30 repetitions of the clean and jerk exercise, performed at regular intervals over the course of 11 minutes with a barbell weighing 30 kg. A mobile phone equipped with the PHYPHOX application was attached to the right forearm to record acceleration values. From each repeti-tion, both the average and maximum acceleration were evaluated. As a control pa-rameter, the barbell velocity was measured using the Tendo Power Analyzer. Results: The results showed that the mean acceleration during the exercise was 4.80 ± 0.95 m·s⁻², while the maximum acceleration reached 33.71 ± 15.19 m·s⁻². The average power output was 419.00 ± 67.34 W, and the maximum power achieved 913.81 ± 259.44 W. The mean execution velocity was 1.42 ± 0.23 m·s⁻¹, with a maximum velocity of 2.16 ± 0.38 m·s⁻¹. Data analysis revealed a significant correlation between both average and maximum acceleration and average and maximum velocity (r > 0.65, p < 0.01). Conclusions: These findings suggest that a mobile phone can serve as a practical and reliable tool for assessing the intensity of strength exercises. However, due to the small number of participants, further research on a larger sample is recommended to verify the generalizability of the results and potentially extend the application of this method to other types of physical activities.

The elite swimmer of the Slovak Republic (T.P.), a participant in the 2023 World Swimming Championships in Fukuoka, has since 2012 recorded a gradual increase in performance in the swimming disciplines of 400 m freestyle with a resulting time of 3:49.03 (795 points, SCM) and 800 m freestyle with a resulting with a time of 8:12.87 (771 points, LCM). From the point of view of the annual training macrocycle of ATC 2023, he achieved his best sports performances in the 400m freestyle with a final time of 3:53.88 (747 points, SCM) and in the 800m freestyle with a fi-nal time of 8:07.68 (751 points, SCM). We identified the general and special training variables that were most closely related to the swimmer's athletic performance through a retrospective analysis. For interaction identification and prediction, we applied non-parametric techniques (CHAID de-cision trees and Spearman's correlation coefficient). The available data was analyzed using the technique to examine at the swimmers' workout records from the ATC 2023 annual training cycle. The available data, which include the volume of race pace (STI 105), elemental arm swimming (STI 106), and volume of anaerobic endurance (STI 104), as well as the number of starts (GTI 112) and training units (GTI 111), were analyzed by looking at the swimmers' training diaries from the ATC 2023 annual training cycle.