Eurofit 2-Km Walk Test
The Eurofit 2-Km Walk Test involves a walking as fast as possible over 2 km (1.24 miles), and the results are calculated from the time taken, heart rate at the end of the walk, BMI and age. 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 a firm and smooth surface, heart rate monitor (optional).
pre-test: Explain the test procedures to the subject. Perform screening of health risks and obtain informed consent. Prepare forms and record basic information such as age, height, body weight, gender, test conditions. Measure and mark out the test area. Perform an appropriate warm-up. See more details of pre-test procedures.
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).
walking fitness test 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), where walking time is in minutes, HR is heart rate in beats per minute, age in years and BMI is body mass index:
[MEN] VO2max (ml/min/kg) = 184.9 – (4.65 × walk time) – (0.22 × HR) – ( 0.26 × age) – (1.05 × BMI)
[WOMEN] VO2max (ml/min/kg) = 116.2 – (2.98 × walk time) – (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: the reliability is low for 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.
The Test in Action
- This test is part of the Eurofit Test Battery for Adults.
Similar Tests
- General Walk / Run test
- Endurance Run / Walk (1 mile)
- Walk Test (1 mile)
- Cooper 12-minute test
- Rockport Walk Test
Related Pages
- Eurofit test battery
- Fitness tests involving walking
- More information about measuring heart rate
- More aerobic fitness tests
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