Lab Practical: Step Test

absolute work rate

intensity of exercise measured on an ergometer by a power unit

relative work rate

intensity of exercise measured relative to an individual's maximal abilities, such as percent VO2max or percent of work rate (power) maximum

maximum heart rate

maximum rate at which an individual's heart can beat per minute; often estimated by subtracting age in years from 220

what special populations can benefit from step test? benefits of using it over another test?

-obese people bc less intensity, less pressure on joints - dont do it on high level athlete -step is convenient for indoor and outdoor settings -one or multiple people can do the test at once -can be used at the gym or rehab setting/ hospital

why do we do the step test?

-the test uses the measurement of recovery HR to estimate the subject's level of fitness - used to estimate subject's VO2max

the purpose of the step test

this submaximal test provides a measure of your cardiovascular fitness and aerobic power.

submaximal

exercise intensity below 85% of maximal effort

how to administer the step test

1. have subject sit on the bench step at rest for 3 min 2. take radial pulse for 15 s x 4 = resting HR 3. set metronome at 88 bpm for women, 96 bpm for men 4. subject steps up and down on steps to metronome for 3 min 5. after 3 min is up, calculate recovery HR from 3:05-3:20 6. use that to calculate VO2max

equation for step test for males and females

men: 111.33 - (0.42 x recoveryHR = VO2max women: 65.81 - (0.1847 x recoveryHR = VO2max