Background: Cardiorespiratory endurance is an important indicator of physical health, commonly measured as maximum oxygen uptake. The purpose of this study was to assess whether an agreement exists between V̇ O2max estimated from the 6-minute walk test and the Queen's College step test in healthy young adults. Methods: 32 healthy young adults (mean age (standard deviation) 22.4 (1.5) years) completed a questionnaire to check for contraindications before participating in both tests on the same day. Based on the obtained results, the estimated maximal oxygen consumption for each test was calculated using sex and heart rate data. Additionally, the perceived exertion for each test was evaluated using the 15-category perceived exertion scale. The tests were compared based on the estimated maximum oxygen uptake and perceived exertion estimations. Results: The mean maximum oxygen uptake in the 6- minute walk test was 44.15 (4.84) ml/kg/min and in the Queen's College step test was 42.15 (8.34) ml/kg/min. The mean difference maximum oxygen uptake between tests (2.01 (6.74) ml/kg/min) did not exceed maximum acceptable difference of 3.00 ml/kg/min determined a priori. Conclusions: Although the estimated calculation showed comparable maximum oxygen uptake values between the two tests, they were not interchangeable.
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