Fitness Testing

2 km Walk Test

This test of cardiovascular endurance is part of the Eurofit Test Battery for Adults.

equipment required: stopwatch, marked 2 km track or path on level ground with firm and smooth surface, heart rate monitor (optional).
description: The test involves a walking as fast as possbile 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 VO_2max.
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.

Other specific walking / running endurance tests: