An exercise performance test does not measure physical fitness for the average person.

One hundred and thirty five members of the public who attended a medical school open day and who volunteered for a physical fitness assessment were asked to rate their own physical fitness and to give a reason for their rating; subjects then performed a submaximal exercise test for an estimation of maximum oxygen uptake. More than two-thirds of the reasons given for self-rating of fitness were related to level of regular exercise, while physical exercise performance, health or obesity each accounted for 10% or less of the reasons given. There was no significant correlation between self-rating of fitness and maximum oxygen uptake. It is concluded that for the average person an estimate of the level of regular exercise is likely to be a more appropriate measure of physical fitness than performance in an exercise test.