Use of walking in the evaluation of aerobic fitness

: The reliability and validity of assessment of the maximal oxygen consumption as a criterion of aerobic fitness by the 2000 m walking test was established in 38 students of the military secondary school (mean age 17.8 +/- 0.4 years). The reliability of the 2000 m walking test is very high, during repeated estimations in the course of one week we find a correlation coefficient of r = 0.82 (p < 0.001). There is also a close correlation of 2000 m walking time and 2000 m running time (r = 0.67, p < 0.001). A group of 18 students selected at random from the above group was examined in the laboratory on a treadmill up to vita maxima. A close correlation was found between the results during walking and the maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max.kg-1) (r = -0.59 and -0.60) and also the 2000 m running time and VO2max.kg-1 (r = 0.59), p < 0.01 in all instances. The standard error of the mean of the maximal oxygen consumption estimate from the 2000 m walk is 3.44 ml.kg-1 x min-1 (5.7%) and from the running time of the same distance 3.49 ml.kg-1 x min-1 (5.8%). These results justify the conclusion that the 2000 m rapid walking test (normal style) is a simple alternative way for estimating the maximal oxygen consumption and thus also for evaluating the level of aerobic fitness with an accuracy which matches that, when running is used for the test.