Throughout the semester, we tested and evaluated several techniques used to assess cardiovascular fitness. Cardiovascular fitness is an important concept because it is a representation of the ability of the heart, lungs, and vascular system to work together to deliver oxygen to the working muscle so that physical work can be maintained. Physical inactivity and poor cardiovascular fitness are associated with several health problems, including cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes, which can lead to higher morbidity and mortality rates. By testing cardiovascular fitness, these health risks can be identified and addressed before they turn into bigger problems. . The techniques we have used this semester include aerobic field testing, semi-laboratory testing, step testing, and laboratory VO2 max testing. Each technique required a different application and had its own list of advantages and disadvantages which I will discuss further. The first technique, the aerobic field test, includes the Rockport 1 Mile Walking Test, the Cooper 1.5 Mile Test, and the 12 Minute Cooper Test. The Rockport Fitness Walking Test is a fairly simple and safe method used to determine VO2 max or aerobic capacity. Aerobic capacity indicates the maximum rate at which the respiratory, cardiovascular and muscular systems can absorb, transport and use oxygen during exercise. This reflects the body's ability to supply energy to muscles using oxygen. The higher the number, the more aerobically fit a person is considered. To perform this test, the subject walks one mile as fast as possible and stops the stopwatch as soon as the mile is completed. The subject should measure the pulse while continuing to walk, but at a slower pace and record the time and heart rate...... in the center of a sheet of paper... on the time spent in the test in minutes. To get a "good" score on this test, the subject would take 9-15 minutes to complete. To calculate VO2 max, the formulas are as follows: men = 1.444 (T) + 14.99 and women = 1.38 (T) + 5.22. The Balke protocol is a good test for cardiac patients because it is considered safe and performed with a moderate workload. However, this technique is quite expensive and time-consuming to set up and conduct. In conclusion, cardiovascular fitness assessment has proven to be an important tool for identifying various cardiovascular health risks, and each of the previously discussed techniques has the common theme of being a predictor of such health problems. Considering the differences in techniques, no one technique is necessarily better than the other. The effectiveness of the test mainly depends on the target subject.