Metabolic Endurance Testing; Step test protocol?
Thu, 03/26/2009 - 6:32am
Im a little confused about the step test protocol (submaximal metabolic exercise test). How do you know which step height and step rate you are meant to start off with (for the first and second test) for an individual being assessed. Matheson has a list of step hieghts and step rates, the whole point is to get the individual being assessed to steady state heart rate above 110bpm but is it just trial and error and can you just choose any step height and rate that does this? Thanks Gerry
Hello!
I forwarded your question on to our clinical advisor and here was his response:
Part of it is trial and error, but another part is getting a feel for the evaluee's cardiovascular status and knowing where to start. I suggest putting the HR monitor on before the test, having them walk a little bit and estimating from there on pace and step height. I think that with time I have gotten pretty good at guessing where to start! Just remember beta blockers will skew the results, and 110 may be hard to reach!
Hope this helps, Jim
Let us know if you need any more help!
Jenn