Cardiovascular
test: Cooper 12 minutes run / walk test
The Cooper test, a 12-minute run fitness test, was developed by Kenneth
Cooper, MD, in 19681.Cooper K. A Means of Assessing Maximal Oxygen Intake
Correlation Between Field and Treadmill Testing.
The test is an easy way to measure aerobic fitness and provide an
estimate of VO2 max for military personnel, and it's still used today as a
field test for determining aerobic fitness.
Cooper's 12-minute run test is a
simple and widely used field test that measures an individual's cardiovascular
endurance and aerobic capacity. The test requires the participant to run
as far as possible within 12 minutes on a flat surface, typically a track or a
measured course.
Dr. Cooper
found that there is a very high correlation between the distance someone can
run (or walk) in 12 minutes and their VO2 max value. The VO2 max measures the
efficiency with which someone can use oxygen while exercising.
The Cooper
test is also used by many coaches and trainers to determine cardiovascular
fitness and track fitness over time. This simple test also allows you to
compare your cardiovascular endurance with others of your age and gender.
The Cooper
12-minute run is a popular maximal running test of aerobic fitness, in which participants
try and cover as much distance as they can in 12 minutes.
There are
several other variations of running/ walking tests, including the Cooper 1.5
mile run test.
Purpose:
To test
aerobic fitness (the ability of the body to use oxygen to power it while
running)
Equipment required:
Flat oval or
running track, marker cones, recording sheets, and stopwatch.
Procedure:
Place markers
at set intervals around the track to aid in measuring the completed distance.
Participants run for 12 minutes, and the total distance covered is recorded.
Walking is allowed, though the participants must be encouraged to push
themselves as hard as they can to maximize the distance covered.
Scoring:
There are
Cooper test norm tables for general guidelines for interpreting the results of
this test for adults. There are also several equations that can be used to
estimate VO2max (in ml/kg/min) from the distance score (a formula for either
kms or miles):
VO2max = (35.97 x miles) - 11.29
VO2max = (22.35 x kilometers) - 11.29
validity:
Cooper (1968)
reported a correlation of 0.90 between VO2max and the distance covered in a 12
min walk/run.
reliability:
The reliability of this test would depend on practice,
pacing strategies and motivation level. There should be good reliability if
these issues are addressed.
advantages:
Large groups can be tested at once, and it is a very
cheap and simple test to perform.
disadvantages:
Practice and
pacing is required, and performance on this test can be affected greatly by
motivation.
comments:
The world record for 5000m is held by Kenenisa Bekele in
12:37.35. Based on that time, he would complete 4752m or 11.88 laps in 12 min.
variations
/ modifications:
The test can also be conducted by running on a treadmill
for 12 minutes, set to level 1 (1 percent) incline to mimic outdoor running.
There are also many variations of the walk / run test. A very similar test is
the Balke 15-minute run. Testing is generally easier to administer when the
distance is fixed and the finishing time measured, so the alternative Cooper
1.5 mile (2.4km) run test was developed.
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