Question

How is Cardiovascular Fitness measured with the help of "Harvard Step Test"? Write in detail about its administrative procedure.

What do you know about Harvard Step Test? Explain its procedure and administration.

Answer 1

Harvard Step Test measures cardiovascular fitness as aerobic/cardiovascular endurance. It was developed by Brouha and his associates (1943) to test physical fitness and recovery from work.

Equipment Required:

• Step/platform: 20 inches (50.8 cm) high for men, 16 inches for women
• Stopwatch
• Metronome or cadence tape (30 beats per minute)
• Record sheet and pen

Administrative Procedure:

1. Preparation: Place the step on a flat, non-slippery surface. Check that the stopwatch and metronome/cadence tape work correctly. Prepare the recording sheet with columns for duration, Pulse 1, Pulse 2 and Pulse 3.
2. Briefing: Explain the test to the participant and demonstrate the correct stepping action. The athlete warms up for 10 minutes before the test.
3. Start of test: The tester gives the command “GO” and starts the stopwatch. The athlete steps up and down on the platform at the rate of 30 steps per minute (one step every 2 seconds) continuously for 5 minutes (150 steps) or until exhaustion.
4. Exhaustion rule: Exhaustion is defined as the inability to maintain the stepping rate for 15 seconds. If this occurs, stop the test immediately.
5. Recovery: After 5 minutes the tester stops the test and the athlete immediately sits down for 1 minute. No talking or extra movement should be allowed during recovery.
6. Pulse measurement:
   • Pulse 1: count heart rate in beats per minute between 1 and 1.5 minutes after finishing the test.
   • Pulse 2: count between 2 and 2.5 minutes after finishing (long form).
   • Pulse 3: count between 3 and 3.5 minutes after finishing (long form).
7. Record all pulse counts and the exact exercise duration in seconds.
8. Compute the Fitness Index using the formula given below.

Scoring/Formula:

Short form: \[\text{Fitness Index (short form)} = \frac{100 \times \text{Duration of exercise in seconds}}{5.5 \times \text{Pulse count between 1 and 1.5 minutes after exercise}}\]

Long form: \[\text{Fitness Index (long form)} = \frac{100 \times \text{Duration of exercise in seconds}}{2 \times \text{Sum of recovery pulse counts}}\] 

Fitness Index Rating (Male/Female):

• Excellent: >90.0 / >86.0
• Good/Above average: 80.0–90.0 / 76.0–85.9
• Average: 65.0–79.9 / 61.0–75.9
• Below average: 55.0–64.9 / 50.0–60.9
• Poor: <55 / <50

Administrative precautions: Ensure the platform is stable, step height matches the participant’s sex, and pulse counting is done accurately within the specified intervals.