Aerobic Test - Rockport Fitness Walking Test

Objective

The objective of this Rockport Fitness Walking Test (Kilne 1987) is to monitor the development of the athlete's VO2max.

Required Resources

• 400 metre track
• Stopwatch
• Weighing scales
• Assistant

How to conduct the test

This test requires the athlete to walk one mile (1609 metres) or 4.0225 laps as fast as possible.

• The assistant weighs and records the athlete’s weight
• The athlete warms up for 10 minutes
• The assistant gives the command “GO”, starts the stopwatch and the athlete commences the test  
• The assistant records the time taken for the athlete to complete the test and the athlete’s heart rate immediately on finishing

Assessment

The formula (Kilne 1987) used to calculate VO2max is:

• 132.853 - (0.0769 × Weight) - (0.3877 × Age) + (6.315 × Gender) - (3.2649 × Time) - (0.1565 × Heart rate)

Where:

• Weight is in pounds (lbs)
• Gender Male = 1 and Female = 0
• Time is expressed in minutes and 100ths of minutes
• Heart rate is in beats/minute
• Age is in years

Analysis

Analysis of the test result is by comparing it with the athlete's previous results for this test. It is expected that, with appropriate training between each test, the analysis would indicate an improvement in the athlete's aerobic capacity (VO2max).

Target Group

This test is suitable for sedentary individuals 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