RESUMO
BACKGROUND: In humans, measurement of maximum oxygen uptake is important because it is related to cardiovascular health. In Mexico there is scanty information in nationals and unfortunately such a data has been gathered from laboratory and field indirect methods ignoring reliability, validation and cross validation. PURPOSE: This study was designed to determine the validity and reliability of the 1,000 meters walk-run test in adults. METHODS: Fifty-one healthy subjects (31 men and 20 women) participated in four maximal tests; two in a laboratory on a treadmill for direct measurement of VO2max (L1 and L2) and twice in a track for distance walk-run time in 1,000 meters (C1 and C2). Values were analyzed by interclass correlation, Pearson product moment and "t" test. RESULTS: The VO2max in L1 y L2 were 2.67 and 2.70 L.min-1, (R = 0.97) and 44.2 and 46.2 mL.kg-1.min-1, meanwhile VO2max estimated from field were 44.2 and 46.2 mL.kg-1.min-1, (R = 0.98). Pearson correlation obtained from all subjects between laboratory and field test was of r = 0.88, without significant difference (P > 0.05). From those data we development the following equation: VO2max = 71.66-5.85 (t), where 71.66 and 5.85 are constants and t is the time employ in performing the test, R = -0.86, (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The 1,000 meters distance walk-run for time is highly reliable and valid test for estimation of VO2max in Mexican people. The test is safe, easy and short and can be administrated with a minimal amount of equipment. We propose its utilization in other population in order to perform cross validation.