V02 Max Calculator

Each protocol has its own published regression; there is no general-purpose VO2 max formula.
The Rockport, step-test and Bruce equations are sex-specific.
Used by the Rockport equation.
Metric uses kilograms and centimetres; US uses pounds with feet and inches; UK uses stones and pounds.
Body weight, used by the Rockport equation and to convert the result to litres per minute.
Only used with UK stones-and-pounds: the pounds part, e.g. 11 st 4 lb is weight 11 and extra pounds 4.
Cooper test only.
1.5-mile run test only. Enter 11 minutes 30 seconds as 11.5.
Rockport test only. Enter 13 minutes 30 seconds as 13.5.
Rockport test only.
Queen's College step test: a 15-second pulse taken 5-20 seconds after stopping, multiplied by four.
Heart-rate ratio method. Use a measured maximum, not an age formula.
Heart-rate ratio method: taken lying down before getting up.
Bruce protocol only. Enter 9 minutes 15 seconds as 9.25.
Estimated VO2 max
50.0 mL/kg/min
VO2 Max Calculator
Aerobic capacity in METs
14.29 MET
Absolute VO2 max
3.500 L/min
Body weight used
70.00 kg
Protocol
Cooper 12-minute run - distance covered in 12 minutes
Equation applied
(2741.4 m - 504.9) / 44.73
Population the equation was fitted on
115 US Air Force officers and airmen, men aged 17-52.
Worked out from Cooper KH, A means of assessing maximal oxygen intake: correlation between field and treadmill testing, JAMA 1968;203(3):201-204 and 5 other sources.
This equation was fitted on: 115 US Air Force officers and airmen, men aged 17-52. An estimate for someone outside that population carries more error than the published standard error.
These are regression estimates from field tests, not a measured VO2 max: each equation carries a standard error of several mL/kg/min and was fitted on a specific population. Maximal exercise testing carries cardiovascular risk; anyone with known heart disease, chest pain on exertion, or who is new to vigorous exercise should be screened by a clinician before performing a maximal test.

How this is worked out

5 steps
  1. Protocol: Cooper 12-minute run - distance covered in 12 minutes
  2. Cooper KH, A means of assessing maximal oxygen intake: correlation between field and treadmill testing, JAMA 1968;203:201-204. VO2max = (distance in metres - 504.9) / 44.73.
  3. VO2 max = (2741.4 m - 504.9) / 44.73 = 50 mL/kg/min
  4. METs = 50 / 3.5 = 14.29 MET
  5. Absolute VO2 = 50 mL/kg/min x 70 kg / 1000 = 3.5 L/min

Results are general information, not financial, tax, legal, medical or engineering advice.