A Factor Analytic Investigation of Tests of Physical Working Capacity

Abstract

Following test administration to 44 healthy young men, sixteen laboratory and field tests of physical working capacity were submitted to factor analysis. An alpha factor analytic model was employed with rotation to simple structure utilising an orthogonal and oblique technique. Three factors were found accounting for 71 percent of the total variance. Factors were named based on the physiological nature of the test loadings. The Aerobic Power factor contained high loadings from a treadmill test of Vdot;_O2max expressed in cm³ kg⁻¹ min⁻¹, the Harvard Fitness Test, the All-Out Run and a series of field tests ranging from the 12 min run to the 274·3 m (300yd) run. The Anaerobic Power factor contained loadings from the Margaria Test of anaerobic power and a series of field tests ranging from the 274·3 m (300 yd) run to the 9·14 m (10 yd) dash. A Heart Rate Response to Work Testing factor contained loadings from each of the five tests utilising heart rate as the criterion measure.