HARVARD STEP TEST

HARVARD STEP TEST

The objective of this test is to monitor the development of the athlete's cardiovascular system.

Procedure: The athlete steps up and down on the platform at a rate of 30 steps per minute for 5 minutes or until exhaustion. Exhaustion is defined as when the athlete cannot maintain the stepping rate for 15 seconds. The athlete immediately sits down on completion of the test, and the heartbeats are counted for 1 to 1.5 (1st pulse count), 2 to 2.5 (2nd pulse count), and 3 to 3.5 (3rd pulse count) minutes.

Equipment required: Step or platform 20 inches (50.8 cm) high, stopwatch, metronome or cadence tape.

Scoring: The score is equal to (100 X test duration in seconds) divided by 2 X (total heartbeats in the recovery periods).

• excellent > 90

• good 80-89

• high average 65-79

• low average 55-64

• poor < 55

HARVARD STEP TEST RESULTS SHEET

1. Time of Exercise: Seconds ________________ X 100 = ________________

2. 1st pulse count (A) ________________

2nd pulse count (B) ________________

3rd pulse count (C) ________________

Add A, B, C to get total: ________________ X 2 = ________________

3. Divide the total of #1 by the total of #2 to get a total of ________________

4. The total of #3 indicates a Harvard Step Test Score of ________________

5. The score indicates a cardiovascular rating that is ________________

Score Cardiovascular Rating

> 90 Excellent

80-89 Good

65-79 High average

55-64 Low average

< 55 Poor