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Rockport Walk Test Calculator

Estimates VO2max from the Rockport Fitness Walking Test (walk one mile, 1609 m, as fast as possible and record the time and finishing heart rate) with the Kline et al. (1987) regression on weight, age, sex, time and heart rate; the result is classified with Cooper Institute age- and sex-specific norms and expressed in METs.

When to use

Someone completed a timed one-mile walk with a finishing heart rate and wants a VO2max estimate and fitness rating without running or laboratory testing.

Do not use when: You have a Cooper 12-minute run distance or resting and maximum heart rates (use vo2-max), the person ran part of the mile or could not walk continuously, or the person is highly trained (the equation is inaccurate above about 60 ml/kg/min); informational, not a medical test.

Formula

vo2max_ml_kg_min = 132.853 − 0.0769 × weight_lb − 0.3877 × age_years + 6.315 × (male = 1, female = 0) − 3.2649 × walk_time_minutes − 0.1565 × heart_rate_bpm; weight_lb = weight_kg / 0.45359237; mets = vo2max / 3.5

Kline et al. (1987) derived the equation from adults aged 30–69 against treadmill-measured VO2max (r ≈ 0.88, standard error ≈ 5 ml/kg/min); walkers must reach a steady brisk pace and the finishing heart rate must be taken immediately. Norms: Cooper Institute VO2max classification by sex and age group (13–19, 20–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60+). Informational, not a medical test.

Inputs

ParameterTypeUnitRequiredDescription
sexenum: male | femaleyesSex category used to select the formula coefficients.
age_yearsnumberyearsyesAge in years (the equation was developed on adults aged 30–69). Range: ≥ 15, ≤ 90
weight_kgnumberkgyesBody weight in kilograms (converted to pounds for the equation). Range: > 0, ≤ 300
walk_time_minutesnumberminyesTime to walk exactly one mile (1609 m) on a flat course, in decimal minutes (15 min 30 s = 15.5). Range: ≥ 5, ≤ 40
heart_rate_bpmnumberbpmyesHeart rate immediately at the end of the walk (15-second count × 4, or a monitor). Range: ≥ 40, ≤ 220

Outputs

OutputTypeUnitDescription
vo2max_ml_kg_minnumberml/kg/minKline et al. (1987) Rockport estimate of maximal oxygen uptake.
fitness_categorystringCooper Institute rating for the person's sex and age group: very poor, poor, fair, good, excellent or superior.
norms_textstringThe age-group thresholds the rating was read from.
metsnumberMETvo2max / 3.5 (multiples of resting oxygen uptake).
weight_lb_usednumberlbweight_kg / 0.45359237, as entered into the equation.

Example

Male, 30 y, 72.57 kg (160 lb), 15:00, 140 bpm: {"sex":"male","age_years":30,"weight_kg":72.57,"walk_time_minutes":15,"heart_rate_bpm":140} → {"weight_lb_used":160,"vo2max_ml_kg_min":44.35,"mets":12.67,"fitness_category":"Good"}

Female, 45 y, 65 kg, 17:30, 130 bpm: {"sex":"female","age_years":45,"weight_kg":65,"walk_time_minutes":17.5,"heart_rate_bpm":130} → {"weight_lb_used":143.3,"vo2max_ml_kg_min":26.91,"mets":7.69,"fitness_category":"Fair"}

GET https://tttkmbb.com/api/v1/calculate/rockport-walk-test?sex=male&age_years=30&weight_kg=72.57&walk_time_minutes=15&heart_rate_bpm=140

Machine access

Sources

FAQ

How do I enter a time like 14 min 45 s?

As decimal minutes: 14 + 45/60 = 14.75.

Why does a higher heart rate lower the estimate?

For the same walking speed, a higher heart rate means the effort was closer to maximum, implying a lower aerobic capacity; a fit person walks the mile fast with a low heart rate.

Is the test suitable for young athletes?

It was validated on 30–69-year-olds and underestimates fit people who cannot raise their heart rate much by walking; use a running test (vo2-max) for them.

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