Aerobic Test - Cooper VO2max Test

Objective

The Cooper Test (Cooper 1968) is used to monitor the development of the athlete's aerobic endurance and to obtain an estimate of their VO2max.

Required Resources

• 400 metre track
• Stopwatch
• Whistle
• Assistant

How to conduct the test

This test is to observe the distance covered by athletes for 12 minutes.

• The athlete warms up for 10 minutes
• The assistant gives the command “GO”, starts the stopwatch and the athlete commences the test
• The assistant keeps the athlete informed of the remaining time at the end of each lap (400m)
• The assistant blows the whistle when the 12 minutes has elapsed and records the distance the athlete covered to the nearest 10 metres

Normative data for the Cooper Test

Male Athletes

Age	Excellent	Above Average	Average	Below Average	Poor
13-14	>2700m	2400-2700m	2200-2399m	2100-2199m	<2100m
15-16	>2800m	2500-2800m	2300-2499m	2200-2299m	<2200m
17-19	>3000m	2700-3000m	2500-2699m	2300-2499m	<2300m
20-29	>2800m	2400-2800m	2200-2399m	1600-2199m	<1600m
30-39	>2700m	2300-2700m	1900-2299m	1500-1999m	<1500m
40-49	>2500m	2100-2500m	1700-2099m	1400-1699m	<1400m
>50	>2400m	2000-2400m	1600-1999m	1300-1599m	<1300m

Female Athletes

Age	Excellent	Above Average	Average	Below Average	Poor
13-14	>2000m	1900-2000m	1600-1899m	1500-1599m	<1500m
15-16	>2100m	2000-2100m	1700-1999m	1600-1699m	<1600m
17-20	>2300m	2100-2300m	1800-2099m	1700-1799m	<1700m
20-29	>2700m	2200-2700m	1800-2199m	1500-1799m	<1500m
30-39	>2500m	2000-2500m	1700-1999m	1400-1699m	<1400m
40-49	>2300m	1900-2300m	1500-1899m	1200-1499m	<1200m
>50	>2200m	1700-2200m	1400-1699m	1100-1399m	<1100m

Analysis

It is expected that with proper and appropriate training will result an improvement in athlete's VO2 max, aerobic and anaerobic threshold. We analyse the result by comparing them with the athlete's progression of each test. 

Target Group

This test is suitable for endurance athletes and players of endurance sports (e.g. football, rugby) but not for individuals where the test would be contraindicated.

Reliability

Test reliability refers to the degree to which a test is consistent and stable in measuring what it is intended to measure. Reliability will depend upon how strict the test is conducted and the individual's level of motivation to perform the test.

Validity

Test validity refers to the degree to which the test actually measures what it claims to measure and the extent to which inferences, conclusions, and decisions made on the basis of test scores are appropriate and meaningful. This test provides a means to monitor the effect of training on the athlete's physical development and the norms given to indicate the level of the athletes.

Advantages

• Minimal equipment required
• Simple to set up and conduct
• Time saving where more than one athlete can conduct the test at the same time