International Standards for the 3-Minute Burpee Test: High- Intensity Motor Performance

Relationship Between the Japanese Physical Fitness Test and the 3-Minute Burpee Test

Background Japan has conducted a national physical fitness survey every year since 1964, when the first Tokyo Summer Olympics were held. The survey is a test that evaluates eight physical fitness components: speed, total body endurance, instantaneous force, dexterity, muscle strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and agility, but it requires specialized equipment and space, and it takes time to measure them all. Aims The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the 3-minute burpee test (3MBT), which has been reported to be associated with various physical fitness components, and a "new physical fitness test." Materials and methods The relationship between the "new physical fitness test" and the 3MBT was examined in 122 college students (male=70, female=52) with no health problems. Results The "new physical fitness test" and the 3MBT showed a moderate relationship between the 20-m shuttle run (r = 0.685, p < 0.05), side stepping (r = 0.566, p < 0.05), standing long jump (r = 0.545, p < 0.05), grip strength (r = 0.461, p < 0.05), sit and reach (r = 0.305, p < 0.05), and sit-ups (r = 0.572, p < 0.05), indicating a moderate relationship. Because this study used the Pearson product-rate correlation analysis, it is not possible to definitively assert a relationship with physical fitness factors. Conclusions However, the 3MBT is a very useful test because it requires whole-body strength, power, endurance, and aerobic capacity.

The 3-Minute Burpee Test: A Minimalistic Alternative to the Conventional Estimated Oxygen Uptake Test

Background Maximal oxygen uptake and muscle strength are fundamental components of physical fitness. Improving these capacities is highly beneficial to health. The validity of maximal oxygen uptake and muscle strength has been widely emphasized in clinical, sports, and research-related settings. However, many of the previous tests required special equipment and space. Aim This study examined the effectiveness of field tests that do not require special equipment or space. Materials and methods The relationship between the 3-minute burpee test (3MBT) and estimated maximal oxygen uptake (Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test (Yo-Yo IRT)) using whole-body muscle groups was examined. The subjects were young men (n=127) with a history of exercising at least once a week. Results A strong relationship between 3MBT and Yo-YoIRT was shown (p<0.001). Conclusions The 3MBT is a field test that can be performed anytime and anywhere there is space for plank and standing postures. Because it is very brief, efficient, and uses muscle groups throughout the body, it is effective and potentially quite useful as a new field test.

Accuracy of the Apple Watch Series 6 and the Whoop Band 3.0 for assessing heart rate during resistance exercises

This study aimed to determine heart rate accuracy measured by wearable devices during resistance exercises at various intensities. Twenty-nine participants (16 female) aged 19-37 years participated in this cross-sectional study. Participants completed five resistance exercises; Barbell Back Squat, Barbell Deadlift, Dumbbell Curl to Overhead Press, Seated Cable Row, and Burpees. During the exercises, heart rate was concurrently measured using the Polar H10, the Apple Watch Series 6 and the Whoop 3.0. The Apple Watch had high agreement with the Polar H10 during Barbell Back Squats, Barbell Deadlift, and Seated Cable Rows (rho > 0.832) and moderate to low agreement during Dumbbell Curl to Overhead Press and Burpees (rho > 0.364). The Whoop Band 3.0 had high agreement with the Polar H10 during Barbell Back Squats (r > 0.697), moderate agreement during Barbell Deadlift and Dumbbell Curl to Overhead Press (rho > 0.564) and low agreement during Seated Cable Rows and Burpees (rho > 0.383). The results varied across exercises and intensities and indicated the most favourable outcomes for the Apple Watch. In conclusion, our data suggest that the Apple Watch Series 6 is suitable for measuring heart rate during exercise prescription or monitoring resistance exercise performance.

The Influence of Burpee on Endurance and Short-Term Memory of Adolescents

Aim-The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of the Burpee exercise on the endurance and short-term memory of adolescents aged 15-16 years. Methods-The experiment was performed in a coeducational school in Kirov (Russia). The four-month study involved 52 adolescents of both genders. During the study period, 30 physical education lessons were held in each class. Adolescents from the control group were involved in a typical program (also aimed at improving endurance), and adolescents from the experimental group additionally performed the Burpee exercise. Endurance in adolescents was assessed by means of an "all-out" Running 2000 m test, and short-term memory was assessed by means of the Jacobs test (tests were performed before and after the programs). Results-An analysis of variance revealed an interaction effect (F = 28.733, η_p² = 0.578 and p < 0.001, and F = 104.353, η_p² = 0.676 and p < 0.001 for the Running 2000 m test and the Jacobs test, respectively). The control group improved by 1.9% (p > 0.05) in the Running 2000 m and by 5.5% (p > 0.05) in the Jacobs test. In the experimental group, both improved significantly by 8.6% (p < 0.05) in the Running 2000 m test and by 26.0% (p < 0.05) in the Jacobs test. Conclusion-The Burpee exercise could be included in physical education classes to improve endurance and short-term memory in 15-16-year-old.

Assessing Physical Fitness of Athletes in a Confined Environment during Prolonged Self-Isolation: Potential Usefulness of the Test of Maximal Number of Burpees Performed in 3 Minutes

Due to a prolonged period of quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential to monitor the physical condition of athletes isolated at home with a fitness tool that measures various aspects of physical fitness, which does not require any special equipment, and can be performed within a small space. This study assessed the reliability and validity of the test of performing the maximal number of burpees in 3 min (or 3-MBT) to monitor strength, power, and aerobic endurance in trained athletes. For Part I (reliability of the 3-MBT), 20 (10 male, 10 female) national athletes from various sports performed the 3-MBT on two separate test sessions. Athletes performed as many burpees as possible within 3 min and the primary performance criteria was the number of burpees completed (where a higher number reflected a better performance). The 3-MBT displayed excellent relative reliability in the athletes, with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and coefficient of variation (CV %) of >0.92, and <3.0%, respectively. For Part II (validity of the 3-MBT), 40 (20 M, 20 F) athletes performed the 3-MBT, and the countermovement jump (CMJ), isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), seated medicine ball throw (SMBT), isometric bench (IBP) and maximal aerobic power (VO2max) tests on separate sessions. When data of male and female athletes were pooled, there were significant correlations between relative 3-MBT and relative CMJ height (r = 0.65, large; p < 0.001), relative IMPT peak force (r = 0.50, large; p < 0.001), relative IBP peak force (r = 0.36, moderate, p = 0.02), and relative VO2max (r = 0.50, large; p < 0.001). In conclusion, the 3-MBT is a reliable and reasonably useful test and is a valid assessment of lower body power and strength, upper body strength and aerobic fitness in trained male and female athletes.

A Study on the Preliminary Validity Analysis of Korean Firefighter Job-Related Physical Fitness Test

The purpose of this study is to revise and modify the firefighter job-related performance tests from overseas to implement into the circumstances in Korea, examine its validity by analyzing the level of association between the test employed in the ongoing firefighter selection process, and propose a Korean firefighter job-related physical fitness test. Therefore, a modified version of Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) from the United States firefighter selection process was conducted on 28 male firefighter officer candidates. Recorded results from VO2max, heart rate, blood lactate, anaerobic power test, and the ongoing Korean firefighter physical fitness test were analyzed to assess the validity of the modified test. IBM SPSS Statistics Ver. 27.0 was employed for the data correlation analysis in different fitness factors and the total circuit physical test time. The results revealed the proposed modified firefighter job-related physical fitness test showed significant correlation with VO2max (r = −0.450, p < 0.05), METS (r = −0.735, p < 0.01) recovery lactate over 15 min (r = −0.460, p < 0.05), peak power (r = −0.484, p < 0.05), average power (r = −0.647, p < 0.01), and in the ongoing firefighter physical fitness test, grip strength (r = −0.709, p < 0.01), lower back strength (r = −0.681, p < 0.01), standing long jump (r = −0.618, p < 0.01), sit-ups (r = −0.397, p < 0.05), and shuttle run (r = −0.523, p < 0.01). Fitness factors including VO2max, recovery lactate, anaerobic power, muscular strength, and so forth known to play a crucial role in firefighting operations were also shown to be important in the modified firefighter job-related physical fitness test. However, we suggest that studies with a larger sample size are needed in order to generalize our findings.

Validity and reliability of the Muscular Fitness Test to evaluate body strength-resistance

Introduction

In periods of confinement, people cannot be assessed in training centers. Therefore, it is essential to have valid and reliable tests to evaluate physical capacities remotely and with their respective valuation tables.

Objective

To determine the validity and reliability of the Muscular Fitness Test (MFT) to evaluate the body strength-resistance with self-loading in healthy young adults. Secondly, to create qualitative scales to evaluate the different levels of this physical capacity.

Material and methods

489 participants performed the MFT (test), and 77 performed it twice (re-test). The MFT included 60 seconds (s) of sit-ups, push-ups, deep squats, and burpees, always in that order, with a micropause of 10 s. The validity of the MFT was evaluated with the final heart rate (FHR), % of the reserve HR (%) and Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE); the reliability included the Coefficient of Variation (CV), Intra-Class Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and the standard error of the mean (SEM) (p < 0.05). The qualitative scales were constructed with the percentiles ≤25: poor, ≤50: fair, ≤75: good, ≤90: very good, and >90: excellent.

Results

Participants performed 91.7 ± 26.5 total repetitions, with a FHR of 172.7 bpm (81.7%) and RPE of 8.1; CV = 2.81%, ICC = 0.97 and SEM = 0.77 (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

MFT proved to be valid and reliable to assess self-loaded body strength-resistance in healthy young adults. The creation of the MFT qualitative scales allows evaluating the level of body strength-resistance in this population.