Feasibility of a Walk Test to Assess the Cardiorespiratory Fitness of Naval Personnel
Abstract
The feasibility of using a cost-efficient walk test to assess cardiorespiratory fitness among Navy personnel was the major focus of this paper. Studies assessing the ability of pulse rate and 1- and 2-mile timed distance walks to predict maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) were reviewed and prediction equations generated from multiple regression analyses were examined. Research findings indicate that a walk test provides a reasonable reliable estimate of V02 max in a field setting. The strongest evidence in this regard was provided by Kline and colleagues at the University of Massachusetts who developed an equation to estimate V02 max based on five factors: time to complete a 1-mile walk, average heart rate for the fourth quarter of the mile walk, age, weight and sex. The correlations between measured V02 max and estimated V02 max was r=.93 (SE=.325 1/min) when oxygen consumption was not adjusted for body weight and r=.88 (SE=5.0 1/kg min) when oxygen consumption was adjusted for body weight. Correlations ranging from .74 to .93 were obtained in diverse cross-validation groups. Based on a review of the fitness walking literature, it was concluded that a 1-mile walk test is a valid indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness in the general population.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA250650
Entities
People
- John Pleas
- Linda T. Stevens
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center