The use of pre-employment physical abilities tests has often been criticized as discriminatory to women, older people, and members of certain minority groups. In the present study, body composition (% fat) and VO2 Max were measured in a sample of 771 men and 159 women ranging in age from 21 to 66 years. A hierarchical regression analysis revealed that body composition, age, gender, and the interaction between gender and body composition all accounted for statistically significant proportions of variance in VO2 Max. The results are discussed in terms of their support for the validity of pre-employment physical abilities tests for placement in jobs with a high aerobic component.
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