Fitness classes

The Polar Fitness Test result, your OwnIndex, is most meaningful when comparing your individual values and changes in them. OwnIndex can also be interpreted according to your gender and age. Locate your OwnIndex on the table to find out your current cardiovascular fitness classification, compared with those who are of the same age and gender.

Age

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

(years)

(very

(poor)

(fair)

(average)

(good)

(very

(excellent)

 

poor)

 

 

 

 

good)

 

MEN

20-24

< 32

32-37

38-43

44-50

51-56

57-62

>62

 

 

25-29

< 31

31-35

36-42

43-48

49-53

54-59

>59

 

30-34

< 29

29-34

35-40

41-45

46-51

52-56

>56

 

35-39

< 28

28-32

33-38

39-43

44-48

49-54

>54

 

40-44

< 26

26-31

32-35

36-41

42-46

47-51

>51

 

45-49

< 25

25-29

30-34

35-39

40-43

44-48

>48

 

50-54

< 24

24-27

28-32

33-36

37-41

42-46

>46

 

55-59

< 22

22-26

27-30

31-34

35-39

40-43

>43

WOMEN

60-65

< 21

21-24

25-28

29-32

33-36

37-40

>40

20-24

< 27

27-31

32-36

37-41

42-46

47-51

>51

 

 

25-29

< 26

26-30

31-35

36-40

41-44

45-49

>49

 

30-34

< 25

25-29

30-33

34-37

38-42

43-46

>46

 

35-39

< 24

24-27

28-31

32-35

36-40

41-44

>44

 

40-44

< 22

22-25

26-29

30-33

34-37

38-41

>41

 

45-49

< 21

21-23

24-27

28-31

32-35

36-38

>38

 

50-54

< 19

19-22

23-25

26-29

30-32

33-36

>36

 

55-59

< 18

18-20

21-23

24-27

28-30

31-33

>33

 

60-65

< 16

16-18

19-21

22-24

25-27

28-30

>30

The classification is based on literature review of 62 studies where VO2max was measured directly in healthy adult subjects in the USA, Canada and 7 European countries. Reference: Shvartz E, Reibold RC: Aerobic fitness norms for males and females aged 6 to 75 years: a review. Aviat Space Environ Med; 61:3-11, 1990.

For various fitness classes we recommend the following:

 

 

5-7 Maintain current

 

 

exercise habits

 

4 To ensure good health,

for good health

 

maintain current exercise

and fitness.

 

habits. For fitness

 

1-3 Increase exercise

improvement an increase in

 

exercise is recommended.

 

for health

7

 

benefits and

 

6

fitness

5

 

improvement.

 

4

 

 

 

 

3

 

2

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

Top athletes typically score OwnIndex values above 70 (men) and 60 (women). As high values as 95 can be reached by Olympic level athletes. OwnIndex is highest in sports that involve large muscle groups such as cross-country skiing and cycling.

F 86

F 87