Validity and Reliability of a Novel Jumping Jacks Test for Estimating Maximal Oxygen Consumption in Healthy Young Adults

Jumping jacks are high-intensity exercises known to improve aerobic fitness and reduce cardiovascular disease risk. However, their effectiveness as a predictor of aerobic fitness has not been well-established. This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the jumping jacks test (JJT) for estimating aerobic capacity. Twenty-nine healthy adults completed the JJT and the Bruce treadmill protocol to volitional failure, one week apart, in a randomised crossover trial. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) was measured using a gas analyzer. The correlation between VO2max from both tests was assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and a VO2max prediction equation was developed via stepwise linear regression. Reliability was evaluated in another 16 participants who repeated the JJT twice, one week apart, with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman plots used for analysis. Our results revealed that VO2max was 34.94 ± 5.02 mL/kg/min for the JJT and 32.15 ± 5.28 mL/kg/min for the Bruce protocol. Significant correlations were found for VO2max (r=0.724, P<0.000) and HRmax (r=0.578, P=0.001), but not for the timed test (r=0.240, P=0.219) or RPE (r=0.324, P=0.093). Two prediction models for VO2max from the JJT were developed: 1) 0.532 × (height, cm) – 54.716, and 2) 0.394 × (height, cm) – 0.310 × (body fat, %) – 25.132, explaining 44.4% and 55.1% of the variance in VO2max, respectively. The repeatability of the JJT for VO2max was excellent (ICC=0.954, P=0.921). In conclusion, the JJT is a valid and reliable method for estimating VO2max in young, healthy adults, offering a practical alternative for assessing aerobic capacity.