There are many fitness tests which can be used to estimate VO2max. The choice of test often comes down to who is being tested, their age, and what equipment is readily available. There are two main types of tests designed to monitor and assess cardiorespiratory fitness – maximal effort and submaximal effort tests. Maximal effort tests require an all-out effort from the subject and they exercise to their absolute limit (volitional fatigue). The BEEP test is an example of a maximal effort test. Submaximal effort tests usually require the subject to exercise for a certain period of time, but not to absolute fatigue. Tables and equations are then used to estimate the maximal effort and then VO2max. Generally, maximal effort tests are more reliable and accurate than sub-maximal tests in estimating VO2max. However, sometimes subjects are not able to make an all-out effort, perhaps because of their age, or illness or injury, and then a sub-maximal test may be useful.
Other examples of tests designed to monitor and assess cardiorespiratory fitness include the Cooper VO2max Test and the Astrand Treadmill Test. The Cooper VO2max Test is a maximal effort test requiring the subject to run as far as they can on a 400m track for 12 minutes. At then end of each lap, the subject is informed how long there is to go, and at the end of 12 minutes, the distance covered is calculated to the nearest 10 metres. Data tables exist for both male and female athletes over age ranges 13->50 to assess fitness levels, and the VO2max can then be calculated using the equation:
(Distance covered in metres – 504.9) ÷ 44.73
This test is reliable and the correlation with VO2max levels is high. It is simple to conduct, with minimal equipment, and more than one athlete can be tested at atime. However, it does require a 400m track and assistants to help with monitoring time, and measuring distances.
The Astrand Treadmill Test is also a maximal effort test, where the subject runs for as long as they can on a treadmill where the slope increments increase at timed intervals. The treadmill starts at 8.05km/h with an increment of 0%. After 3 minutes, the treadmill incline is increased to 2.5%, then every 2 minutes after that the incline is increased by 2.5% until the subject cannot continue. The VO2max can be calculated from the equation:
Time running x 1.444 + 14.99
This test also has reasonably high correlation with VO2max values, and is simple to conduct, but it does require use of a treadmill.
Other examples of tests designed to monitor and assess cardiorespiratory fitness include the Cooper VO2max Test and the Astrand Treadmill Test. The Cooper VO2max Test is a maximal effort test requiring the subject to run as far as they can on a 400m track for 12 minutes. At then end of each lap, the subject is informed how long there is to go, and at the end of 12 minutes, the distance covered is calculated to the nearest 10 metres. Data tables exist for both male and female athletes over age ranges 13->50 to assess fitness levels, and the VO2max can then be calculated using the equation:
(Distance covered in metres – 504.9) ÷ 44.73
This test is reliable and the correlation with VO2max levels is high. It is simple to conduct, with minimal equipment, and more than one athlete can be tested at atime. However, it does require a 400m track and assistants to help with monitoring time, and measuring distances.
The Astrand Treadmill Test is also a maximal effort test, where the subject runs for as long as they can on a treadmill where the slope increments increase at timed intervals. The treadmill starts at 8.05km/h with an increment of 0%. After 3 minutes, the treadmill incline is increased to 2.5%, then every 2 minutes after that the incline is increased by 2.5% until the subject cannot continue. The VO2max can be calculated from the equation:
Time running x 1.444 + 14.99
This test also has reasonably high correlation with VO2max values, and is simple to conduct, but it does require use of a treadmill.