The Cooper fitness test measures how far a person can run in 12 minutes.
Physician Kenneth H. Cooper developed the test in 1968 for the United States Armed Forces as a practical measure of cardiovascular endurance. Participants run—or, if necessary, combine running and walking—as far as possible during the fixed 12-minute period. The distance is then compared with reference standards based on age and sex.
The result can also provide an estimate of VO₂ max, a measure of how efficiently the body uses oxygen during intense exercise. A commonly cited formula estimates VO₂ max from the distance covered in meters during the test, though laboratory testing is more direct.
A common mix-up is confusing the Cooper test with fixed-distance military runs, such as a 1.5-mile or 2-mile test. Those measure finishing time over a set distance, while the original Cooper test fixes the time and measures distance. Weather, track surface, pacing, and motivation can all influence the result.