VO₂ Max (Cooper)

This equation estimates VO₂ max, an athlete’s maximal aerobic capacity, from how far they can run in 12 minutes. It comes from Cooper’s field test, which was calibrated by comparing 12-minute run distances with laboratory measurements of oxygen uptake; the constants in the formula convert distance into an estimated mL/kg/min value. Because it is based on a submaximal-to-maximal endurance performance, it gives a practical estimate rather than a direct physiological measurement.

Use this when you want a quick estimate of aerobic fitness from a 12-minute run test, especially in sports science, PE classes, or personal training settings. It is useful for comparing fitness over time or between athletes when lab equipment for direct VO₂ measurement is not available.

• Using kilometres instead of metres for d
• Forgetting that this is an estimate from a 12-minute test, not a direct lab measurement
• Rounding too early and losing accuracy in the final VO₂ value