Modified Step Test Research Articles

Pouzdanost novokonstruisanih specifičnih testova za procenu profesionalne radne fizičke pripremljenosti vatrogasaca

The aim of this study was to determine the reliability of newly designed tests for assessing professional firefighters' physical fitness. A total of 15 healthy and physically active firefighters participated in this study. The following tests were performed: Modified Step Test (MStepT), Fire and Rescue Obstacle Course (VPol), Firefighting Equipment Carry Test (NVOpr, and Dummy Drag Test (VLut). The testing was carried out using a randomized method. There was a 10-minute break between the tests. After a week, retesting was conducted under the same conditions. The results of the regression analysis showed that the value of the adjusted coefficient of determination (adjR2 ) for all tests ranged from 0.90 (90.00%) to 0.98 (98.00%), from MStepT to NVOpr respectively, and the repeatability (reliability) of the tests in relation to the sample used in testing for all variables was highly statistically significant (p = 0.000). A moderate effect size (d = 0.748, 95% CI = 0.162 - 1.314) was found for the VPol variable, while the effect size was found small (d = 0.212 - 0.281) for the variables (MStepT, NVOpr, VLut). The findings demonstrated that the examined tests can be applied in the practice of professional firefighters for the purposes of testing physical fitness related to the job. Methodologically, it is acceptable to conduct tests for firefighters in complete PPE so that the test conditions and workload are similar to the situational conditions during intervention in the field.

1454 Impact of a Cham Jam Intervention on Physical Fitness in Elementary School Students

Background and AimsCHAM JAM, a classroom-based physical activity intervention, has been effective in increasing physical activity levels in elementary school students. The objective if this study was to determine the...

Hippocampus Function Related with Space Map in Humans

Objective: Perception of spatial orientation and self-motion can benefit from integration of multiple sensory cues, including vestibular signals. Place cells were found in hippocampus areas, and correlates of head orientation collectively map spatial locations. To elucidate hippocampus function related with spatial orientation in humans, we examined subjects who had undergone hippocampectom. Method: Data were obtained from 16 patients with hippocampus sclerosis and temporal lobe epilepsy. Eleven patients were also investigated after amygdalohippocampectomy. To determine the path integration, they were investigated by modified step test. We also investigated sound lateralization test (the interaural time difference and interaural level difference). Results: A modified step test may provide a sense of direction and path integration. In this test, initially the subjects walk for 1m on a straight road and turn 90° to the right or left, and then walk straight for 1m with their eyes opened. Subsequently they return with their eyes closed. The results of the modified step test got worth after amygdalohippocampectomy. Sound is an important factor of a sense of direction. The insufficiency of the sound lateralization test was detected in patients, and this was also detected after amygdalohippocampectomy. Conclusion: The hippocampus should play a role in path integration and sound lateralization in humans.

*Poster 108: Is the Modified Step Test A Better Tool Than the Berg Balance Scale to Document Balance Improvements in High Functioning Persons With Traumatic Brain Injury Over an Inpatient Rehabilitation Stay?

Objective: To examine whether patients with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) show more change in performance on the modified Step Test than the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) during an inpatient rehabilitation stay. Design: A retrospective study between 2007 through 2009. Setting: Inpatient rehabilitation. Participants: 52 moderate or severe TBI patients treated at our rehabilitation center and having admission and discharge data for both measures and recorded assistive device (Y/N). Interventions: Not applicable.

THE EFFECT OF PHYSICIAN'S ADVICE ON ADOLESCENT EXERCISE BEHAVIOR AND FITNESS

551 To evaluate the advice of an office-based physician as a mean of increasing fitness in adolescent patients (12 to 21 years old), something that has not been proved as yet: patients were randomly asigned to a case or a control group matched by sex and age, after visiting the offices of 3 different physicians for a period of 6 months. Both groups were given a questionnaire recording exercise (type, duration (D), frequency (F) and intensity (I) at and outside school and the following measurements were taken: resting blood pressure (RBP) and heart rate (RHR), percent body fat (PBF), flexibility (FX)(“sit and reach” test), strength (ST) (handgrip dinamometry) and cardiorespiratory endurance (CRE) (modified step test). Cases were provided with counseling to maintain (active adolescents), increase (partially active adolescents) or start (inactive adolescents) exercise at the first and six months visits. Questionnaires and measurements were again evaluated after 12 months. A sample of 94 cases and 94 controls (63% males and 37% females) was gathered. At the first visit, there were 36,2% active adolescents in both groups, with no significant differences in fitness measurements between groups. At 12 months, cases had increased the number of active adolescents(43%; p<0,01) and ST (28 to 31 units; p<0,01) and decreased RBP (113/68 to 110/65 mmHg; p<0,01) and PBF (18% to 17%; p<0,04), whereas controls had decreased the number of active adolescents (31%; p<0,01) and increased RHR (71 to 74 bpm; p<0,03) and ST (29 to 30 units; p<0,03). However, there were no significant differences between the groups. Cases significantly increased only in F (1,7 to 2,3 days/week; p<0,02) and in spite of increasing also D and I, and controls decreasing D, F and I, there were important differences at 12 months but they did not reach statistic significance. Physician counseling about exercise was followed by 52% of adolescents cases. Based-office physician's advice about exercise to adolescent patients is of use to increase their exercise levels to a degree resulting in short fitness improvement after a year.

A modified step test based on a function of subjects' stature.

A number of submaximal step tests have been developed to predict maximal aerobic capacity. Because step height may influence biomechanical efficiency and heart rate, step tests based on subjects' stature may more accurately predict maximal aerobic capacity. Eighteen women performed the Queens College step test and a modified Queens College step test. The modified step test was performed with the height of the bench set even with the height of the foot at a knee angle of 90 degrees. Analysis of the data indicated a lower recovery heart rate following this test (p < .05). Further, correlations between maximal aerobic capacity and recovery heart rate for both tests were moderate (r = -.80 and -.75, respectively). Our results suggest that step tests based on subjects' stature do not more accurately predict aerobic capacity than those using a standardized bench height.

Prediction of Peak Oxygen Uptake from Submaximal Exercise Tests in Older Men and Women

The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of two submaximal exercise tests, the Sitting-Chair Step Test (Smith &amp; Gilligan. 1983) and the Modified Step Test (Amundsen, DeVahl, &amp; Ellingham, 1989) to predict peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak) in 28 adults ages 60 to 85 years. VO2 peak was measured by indirect calorimetry during a treadmill maximal graded exercise test (VO2 peak, range 11.6–31.1 ml · kg −l · min−1). In each of the submaximal tests, VO2 was predicted by plotting stage-by-stage submaximal heart rate (HR) and perceived exertion (RPE) data against VO2 for each stage and extrapolating the data to respective age-predicted maximal HR or RPE values. In the Sitting-Chair Step Test (n = 23), no significant differences were observed between measured and predicted VO2 peak values (p &gt; .05). However, predicted VO2 peak values from the HR were 4.3 ml · kg−1 · min−1 higher than VO2 peak values predicted from the RPE data (p &lt; .05). In the Modified Step Test (n = 22), no significant differences were observed between measured and predicted VO2 peak values (p &gt; .05). Predictive accuracy was modest, explaining 49–78% of the variance in VO2 peak. These data suggest that the Sitting-Chair Step Test and the Modified Step Test have moderate validity in predicting VO2 peak in older men and women.

Cardiovascular and respiratory adjustments in normal volunteers during modified exercise tests in comparison to standard exercise tests.

Sixteen normal, non-smoking first year medical students underwent four standard exercise tests, while cardiovascular (heart rate and blood pressure) and pulmonary (respiratory rate, tidal volume and oxygen consumption) adjustments were being monitored. Maximal exercise level for all tests were defined following the Jones scale. No variation was noted in respiratory rate among the four exercise tests. The cycle ergometry (CE), hand ergometry (HE), and treadmill (TM) exercise tests produced progressive increases of the various parameters as expected, although target maximal heart rates were not reached in most cases secondary to muscle fatigue. The step test (ST) approximated the physiological parameter changes noted in these three tests during the early stages of exercise, but levelled off after 3 minutes, probably due to lack of incremental load. The ST took the longest time to reach maximal level of exercise parameters, and recorded the lowest tidal volume increase. The same subjects underwent a modified step test (MST1) by adding 1 kg sandbags every 3 min to backpacks worn by the subjects, to provide incremental load. This modification provided a slight increase in the parameters measured, but still plateaued after 3 min. Another set of 18 normal, non-smoking medical students underwent bicycle ergometry and two other modified exercise tests. The modified step test two (MST2) was similar to our initial MST1, except that the sandbags added every 3 min were not fixed at 1 kg but were also incremental (1, 2, 3 and 4 kg). The other test (Ramp test or RT) required the subjects to walk up and down a ramp, which entailed not only the addition of incremental weights of sandbags every 3 min, but also increasing the elevation of the ramp at each stage. Data analysis showed that these two tests showed almost similar changes in cardiovascular and respiratory adjustments in the subjects, compared to the standard bicycle ergometry. These pilot studies showed that low-cost modified step tests may be utilized to approximate the expensive standard treadmill and bicycle exercise tests. More studies on larger populations have to be done to validate these results.

Gross efficiency of muscular work during step exercise at -15 degrees C and 21 degrees C.

In an effort to assess the effect of ambient temperature on the gross efficiency (Effg) of step exercise 12 subjects performed a modified step test either at -15 degrees C or 21 degrees C ascending to three different heights (corresponding to light, moderate and heavy work), for 20 min each with a frequency of 18 steps min-1. Heart rate (HR), rectal temperature, skin temperatures and heat flux from skin were continuously measured. Oxygen consumption was measured during the last 5 min of each step height and perceptions of thermal sensation were recorded. The results indicate that, while using conventional clothing adequate in these temperatures, Effg is altered in a contradictory manner. At -15 degrees C Effg increased with increasing work load, whereas at 21 degrees C it decreased when the work load increased. The highest Effg (heavy work at -15 degrees C and light work at 21 degrees C) values are reflected as rather similar rectal temperatures. (37.4-37.7 degrees C) and identical mean skin temperatures (32.8 degrees C) as well as the same (slightly warm) thermal sensation of the legs. At -15 degrees C the lowest Effg in light work was probably due to the need to warm up the muscles. At 21 degrees C, on the contrary, the activation of heat dissipation systems was probably responsible for the lowest Effg in heavy work.

Commentary

Indirect methods of determining maximal oxygen consumption (V̇o2max), although unacceptable for research purposes, can be useful in estimating fitness levels in a clinical population. This computer communication describes a program that can be used in conjunction with a modified step test to estimate V̇o2max in children and adults. The program prompts entry of specific subject variables such as age, height, weight, activity level, and recovery heart rate following the step test. The program also provides a concise description of test procedures that can serve as a tutorial in performing the step test. Data from the test are summarized numerically and graphically, and the summary also provides basic exercise guidelines in the form of target heart rates during exercise. The step test discussed in this computer program has improved on previous versions of this technique by adjusting the height of the step relative to the subject's height and age.

Blood Lipids as Related to Food Intake, Body Composition, and Cardiorespiratory Efficiency in Preschool Children

Summary:A group of 3‐5‐year‐old children (n = 22) with a level of somatic development and physical fitness (modified Step test) that corresponded to a previously measured representative sample was studied. The depot fat proportion was 16.3 ± 4%, and obesity was absent. Lean body mass (LBM) was 16.1 ± 1.8 kg. As in previous studies, the fat intake was higher as compared to recommended allowances. The blood cholesterol level was 4.9 ± 0.8, high density lipoproteins (HDL) 1.2 ± 0.2, low density lipoproteins (LDL) 3.6 ± 0.8, triglycerides ?? U/L. The step test index (STI) was 92 ± 9, and the cardiac efficiency index (CEI) was 0.575 ± 0.096. The sex differences were not significant, except for body weight. Marked variability was found in all characteristics measured. There were no significant relationships among somatic development, body composition, food intake, STI, CEI, blood lipids, and CK. The LBM/10 cm height index corelated significantly with CEI, CK, and fat intake.

Blood Lipids as Related to Food Intake, Body Composition, and Cardiorespiratory Efficiency in Preschool Children

A group of 3-5-year-old children (n = 22) with a level of somatic development and physical fitness (modified Step test) that corresponded to a previously measured representative sample was studied. The depot fat proportion was 16.3 +/- 4%, and obesity was absent. Lean body mass (LBM) was 16.1 +/- 1.8 kg. As in previous studies, the fat intake was higher as compared to recommended allowances. The blood cholesterol level was 4.9 +/- 0.8, high density lipoproteins (HDL) 1.2 +/- 0.2, low density lipoproteins (LDL) 3.6 +/- 0.8, triglycerides 0.6 +/- 0.2 mmol/L, and creatine kinase (CK) 42.2 +/- 14.4 U/L. The step test index (STI) was 92 +/- 9, and the cardiac efficiency index (CEI) was 0.575 +/- 0.096. The sex differences were not significant, except for body weight. Marked variability was found in all characteristics measured. There were no significant relationships among somatic development, body composition, food intake, STI, CEI, blood lipids, and CK. The LBM/10 cm height index correlated significantly with CEI, CK, and fat intake.

A Modified Step Test for Group Cardiovascular Testing

(1971). A Modified Step Test for Group Cardiovascular Testing. Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 42, No. 1, pp. 91-95.

Assessment of physical work capacity.

Maximal oxygen uptakes were compared with the results from five different tests of physical work capacity in 96 men, 23–62 years of age. In addition, the 'predicted' maximal oxygen uptakes, according to the Ǻstrand-Ryhming nomogram, were compared with the actual measured maximal oxygen uptakes in the 28 subjects who were between 20 and 30 years of age. There was a statistically significant correlation between the maximal oxygen uptake and the following tests: the Harvard step test (P &lt; .001); a new modified step test in which adjustments were made for the body weight and the length of the legs of the subject (P &lt; .001); the Master step test (P &lt; .05); and the Amplituden-Puls-Frequenz test, (P &lt; .02). There was no statistically significant correlation between the maximal oxygen uptake and the Leistungs-Pulsindex. The correlation between the predicted maximal oxygen uptake and the measured maximal oxygen uptake was statistically significant at the .01 level. Submitted on May 16, 1960

A modified step test for measuring the load capacity of the circulation

A modified step test for measuring the load capacity of the circulation

Work capacity after blood donation.

ARTICLESWork Capacity After Blood DonationB. Balke, G. P. Grillo, E. B. Konecci, and U. C. LuftB. Balke, G. P. Grillo, E. B. Konecci, and U. C. LuftPublished Online:01 Nov 1954https://doi.org/10.1152/jappl.1954.7.3.231MoreSectionsPDF (1 MB)Download PDF ToolsExport citationAdd to favoritesGet permissionsTrack citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInWeChat Back to Top Next Download PDF FiguresReferencesRelatedInformation Cited ByImmediate effects of blood donation on physical and cognitive performance—A randomized controlled double-blinded trialJournal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, Vol. 84Dietary nitrate supplementation attenuates the reduction in exercise tolerance following blood donationSinead T. J. McDonagh, Anni Vanhatalo, Jonathan Fulford, Lee J. Wylie, Stephen J. Bailey, and Andrew M. Jones2 December 2016 | American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, Vol. 311, No. 6Plasma volume expansion does not increase maximal cardiac output or VO2 max in lowlanders acclimatized to altitudeJosé A. L. Calbet, Göran Rådegran, Robert Boushel, Hans Søndergaard, Bengt Saltin, and Peter D. Wagner1 September 2004 | American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, Vol. 287, No. 3Blood Doping in Sports1 July 1980 | Journal of Drug Issues, Vol. 10, No. 3A quantitative analysis of CO2 transport at rest and during maximal exerciseRespiration Physiology, Vol. 35, No. 2Accuracy of treadmill testing in assessment of direct myocardial revascularization.Circulation, Vol. 56, No. 4The Objectivity, Reliability, and Validity of the OSU Step Test for College Males17 March 2013 | Research Quarterly. American Alliance for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Vol. 47, No. 3Construction of a Submaximal Cardiovascular Step Test for College Females17 March 2013 | Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Vol. 44, No. 1A Modified Step Test for Group Cardiovascular Testing17 March 2013 | Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Vol. 42, No. 1Effects of an Individually Geared Exercise Program on Physical Fitness of Adult Men17 March 2013 | Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Vol. 39, No. 4Heart Rates of Selected Male College Freshmen during a Season of Basketball17 March 2013 | Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Vol. 39, No. 4Effects of High Altitude on Performance of Three Different Types of Work2 November 2016 | Perceptual and Motor Skills, Vol. 25, No. 1Social status, physical activity, and coronary pronenessJournal of Chronic Diseases, Vol. 19, No. 7Refinements in method of evaluation and physical conditioning before and after myocardial infarctionThe American Journal of Cardiology, Vol. 14, No. 6Progressive Treadmill Test Norms for College Males11 January 2017 | Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Vol. 35, No. 3Effect of Blood Loss upon Performance in the Balke-Ware Treadmill Test17 March 2013 | Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Vol. 35, No. 2Use of the 180 Heart Rate Response as a Measure of Circulorespiratory Capacity17 March 2013 | Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Vol. 34, No. 3 More from this issue > Volume 7Issue 3November 1954Pages 231-238 https://doi.org/10.1152/jappl.1954.7.3.231PubMed13211505History Published online 1 November 1954 Published in print 1 November 1954 Metrics