This test of cardiovascular endurance is part of the Eurofit Test Battery for Adults. There are other walk tests such as the Rockport, 1-mile, Half Mile and 6 minute walk tests.
- equipment required: stopwatch, marked 2 km track or path on level ground with firm and smooth surface, heart rate monitor (optional).
- procedure: The test involves a walking as fast as possible over 2 km. The walking time and the heart rate are recorded at
the end of the test. Heart rate can be measured using the manual method or using a heart rate monitor (more information on measuring
heart rate)
- scoring: The results are calculated from the time
of the 2 km walk, heart rate (HR) at the end of the walk, body
mass index (BMI) and age. Norms are available to place individual
scores within a fitness category. VO2max can be calculated by using the following formula (Oja & Tuxworth, 1995):
VO2max (ml/min/kg) =
116.2 – 2.98 × walking time (sec) – 0.11 × HR – 0.14 × age – 0.39 × BMI
- target population: Adults aged 20-65 of poor fitness
who would not be able to complete a running test.
- reliability: good, except with people with a high
VO2max.
- advantages: minimal equipment and costs involved,
can be self-administered or large groups at once.
- disadvantages: this test is too easy for the highly fit person. One of the other running tests would be better suited.
- reference: Oja P, Tuxworth B, eds. Eurofit for Adults: Assessment of Health-Related Fitness. Finland: Council of Europe Publishing; 1995:1-13.