Variable Height Step Test Provides Reliable Heart Rate Values During Virtual Cardiorespiratory Fitness Testing
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2022
Journal / Book Title
Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science
Abstract
The YMCA step test uses a prescribed step height which is difficult in a telehealth setting. Examine a modification of the YMCA step test allowing for the use of preexisting in-home objects of variable height as the “step” in a virtual environment. Young healthy participants (n = 40) performed step tests with a small and large object of their choosing within their home in a randomized cross-over study. The stepping frequency was modified for each step height using an established metabolic formula to match estimated exercising VO2 of the YMCA step test. Post-exercise self-palpated heart rate from the small (average 101 ± 23 BPM) vs large (103 ± 23 BPM) step tests were correlated (r = 0.865, p < .001) with good reliability (ICC = 0.865) and within-participant coefficient of variation of 6.8%. Modifying step frequency to account for the varying heights of objects used as “steps” results in reliable heart rate responses to the YMCA step test.
DOI
10.1080/1091367X.2021.1964507
Journal ISSN / Book ISBN
85112086515 (Scopus)
Montclair State University Digital Commons Citation
Matthews, Evan L.; Horvat, Fiona M.; and Phillips, David A., "Variable Height Step Test Provides Reliable Heart Rate Values During Virtual Cardiorespiratory Fitness Testing" (2022). Department of Exercise Science and Physical Education Scholarship and Creative Works. 96.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/exersci-physed-facpubs/96
Published Citation
Matthews, E. L., Horvat, F. M., & Phillips, D. A. (2021). Variable Height Step Test Provides Reliable Heart Rate Values During Virtual Cardiorespiratory Fitness Testing. Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science, 26(2), 155–164. https://doi.org/10.1080/1091367X.2021.1964507