Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) Look-Up and Goal Setting Table
Beginning with 2015–16, the PACER, which is one of the three Aerobic Capacity test options available in the FITNESSGRAM1, is based on student gender, age, and laps only. This table provides the minimum number of 20-meter (20m) laps that males and females need to achieve the Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ) for the PACER, which is still reported in terms of VO2max2. Although students can set goals based on the minimum number of PACER laps, teachers are encouraged to discuss the importance of aerobic capacity and to ensure that students understand how VO2max is influenced by gender and age.
| Age | Females Minimum Number of 20m PACER Laps |
Females Aerobic Capacity HFZ VO2max |
|---|---|---|
10 |
17 |
≥ 40.2 |
11 |
20 |
≥ 40.2 |
12 |
23 |
≥ 40.1 |
13 |
25 |
≥ 39.7 |
14 |
27 |
≥ 39.4 |
15 |
30 |
≥ 39.1 |
16 |
32 |
≥ 38.9 |
17 |
35 |
≥ 38.8 |
17+ |
38 |
≥ 38.6 |
| Age | Males Minimum Number of 20m PACER Laps |
Males Aerobic Capacity HFZ VO2max |
|---|---|---|
10 |
17 |
≥ 40.2 |
11 |
20 |
≥ 40.2 |
12 |
23 |
≥40.3 |
13 |
29 |
≥ 41.1 |
14 |
36 |
≥ 42.5 |
15 |
42 |
≥ 43.6 |
16 |
47 |
≥ 44.1 |
17 |
50 |
≥ 44.2 |
17+ |
54 |
≥ 44.3 |
Note: The information in this table should not be used to attempt to derive a formula for calculating VO2max from PACER laps. The VO2max values establish the HFZ for the gender and age and are not the exact VO2max values that would be obtained from the number of laps displayed.
1 The FITNESSGRAM and Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ) are registered trademarks of The Cooper Institute.
2 VO2 max refers to the maximum oxygen consumption of an individual during exercise. The acronym is derived from V = volume per time; O2 = oxygen; and max = maximum.
Alternate format: PACER Table (PDF)