Insufficient participation in physical activity and low fitness is associated with an increased risk of disease in both adults and children. Fitness testing in large populations is difficult as it requires expensive equipment and may be unsafe for volunteers with low exercise tolerance. We have developed a simple 8-minute step test for estimating individual fitness that is easy to administer and uses field-work friendly equipment.
The purpose of this study was to test the accuracy of the step test and one other short exercise test (walk test) for the estimation of fitness against a standard maximal exercise test estimate (treadmill). The treadmill test is a physically demanding test, which requires walking, jogging and maybe some running on a treadmill till exhaustion. It is hoped that the Step Test will offer a simpler, cheaper, and safer alternative to the maximal exercise testing.
Information for researchers
The Step Test validation study was Unit led with responsibility for data, and funded by the MRC, and is now complete.
Study Summary
The step test is a sub-maximal exercise test which provides an estimation of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) from simple heart rate measurements. It has advantages over other forms of cardiovascular fitness testing (treadmill, cycle ergometer) as it is relatively low cost, portable and feasible as stepping is a more natural activity.
The aim of this study was to test the validity of the step test currently being used in-house, and other short sub-maximal exercise tests for the estimation of VO2max in 200 participants (100 adults and 100 children). More specifically, the study aimed to assess the validity of the step test and a simple short walk test in various age groups including children (9-12-years), adolescents (13-18 years), adults (19-50 years) and older adults (50-65 years). The criterion method was a graded peak treadmill test (VO2max). This included estimates of fitness which can be derived purely from routinely available information collected during free-living monitoring.
Publications
Step Test Validation Study publications on the MRC Epidemiology Unit publications database.
Data sharing
The MRC Epidemiology Unit is committed to sharing data to maximise the value of our work for the public good. Please see our Data Sharing pages for more information.
Contact us
For information about the Step Test Validation Study, please contact:
Email: soren.brage@mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0) 1223 769116
