Criterion-Related Validity of the Distance- and Time-Based Walk/Run Field Tests for Estimating Cardiorespiratory Fitness: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Overview

Journal PLoS One

Specialties General Medicine
Science

Date 2016 Mar 18

PMID 26987118

Citations 42

Authors

Daniel Mayorga-Vega

Raul Bocanegra-Parrilla

Martha Ornelas

Jesus Viciana

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: The main purpose of the present meta-analysis was to examine the criterion-related validity of the distance- and time-based walk/run tests for estimating cardiorespiratory fitness among apparently healthy children and adults.

Materials And Methods: Relevant studies were searched from seven electronic bibliographic databases up to August 2015 and through other sources. The Hunter-Schmidt's psychometric meta-analysis approach was conducted to estimate the population criterion-related validity of the following walk/run tests: 5,000 m, 3 miles, 2 miles, 3,000 m, 1.5 miles, 1 mile, 1,000 m, ½ mile, 600 m, 600 yd, ¼ mile, 15 min, 12 min, 9 min, and 6 min.

Results: From the 123 included studies, a total of 200 correlation values were analyzed. The overall results showed that the criterion-related validity of the walk/run tests for estimating maximum oxygen uptake ranged from low to moderate (rp = 0.42-0.79), with the 1.5 mile (rp = 0.79, 0.73-0.85) and 12 min walk/run tests (rp = 0.78, 0.72-0.83) having the higher criterion-related validity for distance- and time-based field tests, respectively. The present meta-analysis also showed that sex, age and maximum oxygen uptake level do not seem to affect the criterion-related validity of the walk/run tests.

Conclusions: When the evaluation of an individual's maximum oxygen uptake attained during a laboratory test is not feasible, the 1.5 mile and 12 min walk/run tests represent useful alternatives for estimating cardiorespiratory fitness. As in the assessment with any physical fitness field test, evaluators must be aware that the performance score of the walk/run field tests is simply an estimation and not a direct measure of cardiorespiratory fitness.

Citing Articles

Impact of fitness coach behavior on exercise motivation, commitment, and enjoyment: A longitudinal study.

Braga-Pereira R, Furtado G, Campos F, Sampaio A, Teques P PLoS One. 2025; 19(12):e0310931.

PMID: 39774396 PMC: 11684697. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0310931.

Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Its Place in Medicine.

Ross R, Myers J Rev Cardiovasc Med. 2024; 24(1):14.

PMID: 39076861 PMC: 11270451. DOI: 10.31083/j.rcm2401014.

Usual-paced 400 m long distance corridor walk estimates cardiorespiratory fitness among older adults: The Study of Muscle, Mobility and Aging.

Garcia R, Cawthon P, Nicklas B, Goodpaster B, Coen P, Forman D J Am Geriatr Soc. 2023; 72(3):858-865.

PMID: 38149438 PMC: 10947881. DOI: 10.1111/jgs.18713.

The 6-minute Run Test: Validation and Reference Equations for Adults.

Leuschner M, Grauduszus M, Friesen D, Ferrari N, Klaudius M, Joisten C Int J Sports Med. 2023; 45(3):222-230.

PMID: 38113901 PMC: 10907109. DOI: 10.1055/a-2206-5291.

Effects of a Web-Based Lifestyle Intervention on Physical Fitness and Health in Physically Inactive Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Brame J, Kohl J, Centner C, Wurst R, Fuchs R, Tinsel I Healthcare (Basel). 2023; 11(21).

PMID: 37957992 PMC: 10649962. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11212847.

References

Castro-Pinero J, Artero E, Espana-Romero V, Ortega F, Sjostrom M, Suni J . Criterion-related validity of field-based fitness tests in youth: a systematic review. Br J Sports Med. 2009; 44(13):934-43. DOI: 10.1136/bjsm.2009.058321. View

Krahenbuhl G, Pangrazi R, Burkett L, Schneider M, Petersen G . Field estimation of VO2 max in children eight years of age. Med Sci Sports. 1977; 9(1):37-40. View

Cureton K, Sloniger M, OBannon J, Black D, McCormack W . A generalized equation for prediction of VO2peak from 1-mile run/walk performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1995; 27(3):445-51. View

Jessup G, TOLSON H, Terry J . Prediction of maximal oxygen intake from Astrand-Rhyming test, 12-minute run, and anthropometric variables using stepwise multiple regression. Am J Phys Med. 1974; 53(4):200-7. View

Cisar C, Thorland W, Johnson G, Housh T . The effect of endurance training on metabolic responses and the prediction of distance running performance. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 1986; 26(3):234-40. View

Bandyopadhyay A . Validity of Cooper's 12-min run test for estimation of maximum oxygen uptake in female university students. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2014; 58(2):184-6. View

Ramsbottom R, Williams C, Boobis L, Freeman W . Aerobic fitness and running performance of male and female recreational runners. J Sports Sci. 1989; 7(1):9-20. DOI: 10.1080/02640418908729818. View

Taylor H, BUSKIRK E, Henschel A . Maximal oxygen intake as an objective measure of cardio-respiratory performance. J Appl Physiol. 1955; 8(1):73-80. DOI: 10.1152/jappl.1955.8.1.73. View

Almarwaey O, Jones A, Tolfrey K . Physiological correlates with endurance running performance in trained adolescents. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003; 35(3):480-7. DOI: 10.1249/01.MSS.0000053723.16531.D0. View

10.

Ruiz J, Ortega F, Castro-Pinero J . Validity and reliability of the 1/4 mile run-walk test in physically active children and adolescents. Nutr Hosp. 2015; 31(2):875-82. DOI: 10.3305/nh.2015.31.2.7789. View

11.

Myles W, Brown T, Pope J . A reassessment of a running test as a measure of cardiorespiratory fitness. Ergonomics. 1980; 23(6):543-7. DOI: 10.1080/00140138008924768. View

12.

Castillo Garzon M, Ortega Porcel F, Ruiz Ruiz J . [Improvement of physical fitness as anti-aging intervention]. Med Clin (Barc). 2005; 124(4):146-55. DOI: 10.1157/13071011. View

13.

Ramsbottom R, Williams C, Kerwin D, Nute M . Physiological and metabolic responses of men and women to a 5-km treadmill time trial. J Sports Sci. 1992; 10(2):119-29. DOI: 10.1080/02640419208729914. View

14.

Liberati A, Altman D, Tetzlaff J, Mulrow C, Gotzsche P, Ioannidis J . The PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies that evaluate health care interventions: explanation and elaboration. PLoS Med. 2009; 6(7):e1000100. PMC: 2707010. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1000100. View

15.

Gutin B, Fogle R, Stewart K . Relationship among submaximal heart rate, aerobic power, and running performance in children. Res Q. 1976; 47(3):536-9. View

16.

Gutin B, Torrey K, Welles R, Vytvytsky M . Physiological parameters related to running performance in college trackmen. J Hum Ergol (Tokyo). 1975; 4(1):27-34. View

17.

Juni P, Witschi A, Bloch R, Egger M . The hazards of scoring the quality of clinical trials for meta-analysis. JAMA. 1999; 282(11):1054-60. DOI: 10.1001/jama.282.11.1054. View

18.

Unnithan V, Timmons J, Paton J, Rowland T . Physiologic correlates to running performance in pre-pubertal distance runners. Int J Sports Med. 1995; 16(8):528-33. DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-973049. View

19.

Vodak P, Wilmore J . Validity of the 6-minute jog-walk and the 600-yard run-walk in estimating endurance capacity in boys, 9-12 years of age. Res Q. 1975; 46(2):230-4. View

20.

Castro-Pinero J, Ortega F, Mora J, Sjostrom M, Ruiz J . Criterion related validity of 1/2 mile run-walk test for estimating VO2peak in children aged 6-17 years. Int J Sports Med. 2009; 30(5):366-71. DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1105934. View