What is the Walk test and what does it measure?

The one-mile walk test is used as an alternate to the PACER.  The objective is to walk 1 mile as quickly as possible while main­taining a constant walking pace the entire distance. The walk test is an excellent self-assessment skill for everyone to use throughout their lifetime.  The fitness component that we will be looking at today is cardiovascular endurance.  The way we will be testing this is be getting an estimate of your VO2 max.  Cardiovascular endurance is the ability of the heart, lungs and blood vessels to deliver oxygen to working muscles and tissues, as well as the ability of those muscles and tissues to utilize that oxygen. It is also known as aerobic capacity. VO2 max is the maximal capacity of an individual’s body to transport and use oxygen during incremental exercise.  It is said to be the best measure of cardiovascular endurance.