Estimated V(O2)max from the rockport walk test on a nonmotorized curved treadmill

The Rockport Walk Test (RWT) is a 1-mile walk used to estimate the maximal volume of oxygen uptake (V(O2)max). The purpose of this study was to validate the RWT on a nonmotorized curved treadmill (CT). Twenty-three healthy adults (10 females; 19-44 years old) participated. One trial of the RWT was performed on a measured indoor track (RWTO) and another on the CT (RWTC) on different days in randomized order. Heart rate (HR) and completion time were used to calculate V(O2)max using 6 different general and gender specific equations from previous research. Subjects also performed a treadmill graded exercise test (GXT), which was used as the criterion measure for V(O2)max. Completion times and HR between the 2 RWT were compared using dependent t-tests. Estimated V(O2)max values were compared between the RWTC, RWTO, and GXT through repeated measures analysis of variance, Pearson's correlations (r), and Bland-Altman's plots. There was no difference between completion times for the RWTO and RWTC but HRs were significantly higher with RWTC. When the same equation was applied to the RWTO and RWTC, there were no similar results. All V(O2)max estimations were different from observed V(O2)max except for the estimation from the relative general Kline et al. equation on the RWTO. Despite high correlations (r = 0.75-0.91), the RWTC underestimated V(O2)max. The RWTC underestimates V(O2)max but may be beneficial if a new equation were created specifically for the CT. With appropriate equations for the CT, the RWTC would provide an alternate form of V(O2)max testing.