Official protocol by Kenneth H. Cooper (1968) · Aerobic Capacity
Cooper 12-minute Run/Walk Test
Test aerobic fitness and estimate maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max)
Primary measureDistance (miles or km)
CategoryAerobic Capacity
FormatCONTINUOUS
Pacing audioManual / Camera
Standardized testing protocol
Participants run (or walk) for 12 minutes, trying to cover the maximum distance possible. Walking is allowed, but participants must be encouraged to push themselves hard to maximize distance covered.
Required field equipment
Flat oval or running track, marker cones, recording sheets, stopwatch
Calculation formula & scoring
Time4Test automates this equation directly during the session:
VO2max (ml/kg/min) = (22.351 × distance in km) - 11.288
Scientific reference
Cooper, K. H. (1968) A means of assessing maximal oxygen uptake. Journal of the American Medical Association 203:201-204.
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