Rockport walk test

The Rockport walk test estimates VO2 max from a fast 1-mile walk.^{1Schoenfeld and Snarr (eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training, 3rd ed., p. 235.} The NSCA describes it as developed for men and women ages 18 to 69 and suited to older or sedentary clients because it requires only a brisk walk.^{1Schoenfeld and Snarr (eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training, 3rd ed., p. 235.}

The client walks a measured, flat, uninterrupted mile as briskly as possible.^{1Schoenfeld and Snarr (eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training, 3rd ed., p. 235.} The NSCA takes heart rate immediately afterward and uses an equation combining body weight, age, sex, walking time and heart rate.^{1Schoenfeld and Snarr (eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training, 3rd ed., p. 235.} ISSA specifies walking without jogging or running.^{2International Sports Sciences Association, Fast Track Study Guide: Intake and Ongoing Evaluation, p. 14.} The NSCA compares the result with a VO2 max table and a separate table of 1-mile walk times.^{1Schoenfeld and Snarr (eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training, 3rd ed., p. 235.}

In practice

• Consider the walk for older clients: the NSCA says it has been recommended as a safer field test for them.^{3Schoenfeld and Snarr (eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training, 3rd ed., p. 193.}
• Allow a practice trial for clients unfamiliar with pacing, who may do better on later attempts as they learn to adjust their starting pace.^{4Schoenfeld and Snarr (eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training, 3rd ed., p. 194.}
• ACSM gives a standard error of the estimate of 5.0 mL/kg/min, so treat the result as an estimate of aerobic capacity.^{5Ozemek et al., ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 12th ed., p. 217.}

When to measure heart rate

The NSCA has the trainer count heart rate for 15 seconds immediately after the walk.^{1Schoenfeld and Snarr (eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training, 3rd ed., p. 235.} ACSM prefers heart rate from the final minute of the walk and warns that a 10-second count right after finishing may overestimate VO2 max compared with a reading taken during the walk.^{5Ozemek et al., ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 12th ed., p. 217.}