The FitTrack Index as fitness indicator: A pilot study

• Main Authors: Dina C. Janse van Rensburg, Catharina C. Grant, Audrey Jansen van Rensburg, Roelf P.G. Botha, Paola S. Wood, Kim Nolte, Lizelle Fletcher, Peet J. du Toit, Michael S. Pepper, Pieter E. Kruger
• Format: Article
• Language: Afrikaans
• Published: AOSIS 2016-10-01
• Series: Health SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences
• Subjects: Aerobic fitness; Exercise ability; Recreational fitness; Cardiovascular fitness; Fitness indication; VO2max
• Online Access: https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsag/article/view/1004
• ISSN: 1025-9848; 2071-9736

Background: The FitTrack Index is a web-based programme developed in South Africa and widely used by athletes to indicate their fitness. A need exists for a self-managed, noninvasive tool to evaluate and categorise health-related fitness in different population groups. The aim of this study was to compare the FitTrack Index with a reliable measure of cardio-respiratory fitness as indicated by maximal oxygen uptake (direct VO2max). Methods & results: During a 12-week cross-sectional, descriptive pilot study the direct laboratory tested VO2max indicated a moderate to strong correlation with the FitTrack Index (Spearman's rho = 0.439, p = 0.089 at baseline; Spearman's rho =0.853, p < 0.001 after 12 weeks). Conclusions: These results suggest that the web-based FitTrack Index may be considered an appropriate tool to evaluate exercise capacity and cardiovascular fitness in healthy individuals following an aerobic training programme.