Background: The 20-metre multistage shuttle run test is a useful method for the regular monitoring of aerobic fitness. However, the validity of the test should be established in the particular population prior to application. The aim of the study was to validate the applicability of the 20-metre multistage shuttle run test in non-athlete, girls from Kolkata, India. Methods: Thirty-six untrained girls from different schools in Kolkata (age range 14–16 years) were recruited for the study. Direct estimation of cardiorespiratory endurance (VO2max) comprised treadmill exercise followed by expired gas analysis using Scholander micro-gas analyser. VO2max was indirectly predicted by the 20-metre multistage shuttle run test. Results: The difference between the mean (SD) VO2max values of the direct measurement, 32.91 (2.66) ml.kg-1.min-1, and the 20-metre multistage shuttle run test, 33.79 (2.56) ml.kg-1.min-1, was statistically significant (P < 0.01). However, limits of agreement analysis suggested that the 20-metre multistage shuttle run test can be applied for use with the studied population. Intra-class correlation coefficients also suggested good reliability of the 20-metre multistage shuttle run data. Conclusion: The results suggest that the use of the 20-metre multistage shuttle run test for the prediction of VO2max is justified in the studied population. For better prediction of VO2max, a new equation has been developed based on the present data for untrained girls from Kolkata.

Management of cardiovascular risk factors in diabetes demands special attention due to their co-existence. Pioglitazone (PIO) and telmisartan (TLM) combination can be beneficial in effective control of cardiovascular complication in diabetes.In this research,we developed and validated a high throughput LC–MS/MS method for simultaneous quantitation of PIO and TLM in rat plasma. This developed method is more sensitive and can quantitate the analytes in relatively shorter period of time compared to the previously reported methods for their individual quantification. Moreover, till date, there is no bioanalytical method available to simultaneously quantitate PIO and TLM in a single run. The method was validated according to the USFDA guidelines for bioanalytical method validation.A linear response of the analytes was observed over the range of 0.005–10μg/mL with satisfactory precision and accuracy. Accuracy at four quality control levels was within 94.27%–106.10%. The intra-and inter-day precision ranged from 2.32% to 10.14% and 5.02% to 8.12%,respectively.The method was reproducible and sensitive enough to quantitate PIO and TLM in rat plasma samples of a preclinical pharmacokinetic study.Due to the potential of PIO-TLM combination to be therapeutically explored,this method is expected to have significant usefulness in future.