True Fitness CS8.0, Owner'S Manual

Page: 30 / 55

Accuracy of
the Gerkin
Test
Accuracy of the Gerkin Test
CHAPTER TWO: FITNESS TESTS
CS Treadmill Owner’s Guide 33
The scientific journal, Occupational Medicine, published a study
in 2004 on the accuracy of the Gerkin test. The conclusion:
“The Gerkin treadmill protocol overpredicts VO2max in healthy
men and women and, therefore, should not be used for predicting
VO2max in individual firefighters, particularly if VO2max is a
criterion for inclusion or exclusion from duty. At this time, a valid
treadmill running test is needed for predicting the VO2max value
of individual firefighters.”
However, for the fitness enthusiast who is interested in monitoring
their fitness level, the Gerkin test can be used to measure progress
over time.