3 Minute Step Test

Summary

The 'Three Minute Step Test' is a preliminary fitness screening tool designed to measure heart rate recovery post-exercise. Candidates step up and down on a 12-inch bench at a rate of 24 cycles per minute for three minutes. Immediately after, a 60-second heart rate is measured, starting five seconds post-exercise. If a candidate fails to complete the test, they are referred to their physician and cannot proceed with the fitness assessment, ensuring safety and readiness for further evaluation.

Takeaways

• 🏃 The Three Minute Step Test is a preliminary screening tool designed to measure heart rate recovery after exercise.
• ⏱ It requires the candidate to step up and down on a 12-inch wooden bench at a rate of 24 cycles per minute for three minutes.
• 💓 The heart rate is measured during a one-minute period immediately following the stepping exercise.
• 📝 The heart rate measurement starts five seconds after the candidate completes the stepping exercise.
• 👥 The pulse is taken by another candidate, emphasizing the need for a partner in the test administration.
• 🚫 If a candidate does not complete the test, they are referred to their physician and do not proceed with the fitness assessment.
• 🏋️‍♂️ The test must be administered before the fitness assessment, indicating its role as an initial check.
• 🔢 The test involves counting cycles, which suggests a quantifiable aspect to the exercise and its evaluation.
• 🛑 The test has a clear stopping point, with specific instructions for candidates who cannot finish.
• 🏥 The mention of physician referral highlights the importance of medical oversight in fitness testing.
• 📉 The focus on heart rate recovery implies that the test assesses the body's ability to return to a resting state after physical exertion.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of the three-minute step test?

The primary purpose of the three-minute step test is to measure heart rate recovery during a one-minute period following three minutes of stepping.

When should the three-minute step test be administered?

The step test must be administered prior to the fitness assessment.

What is the required stepping rate during the test?

The candidate must step up and down at 24 cycles a minute.

What is the height of the wooden bench used in the test?

The height of the wooden bench used in the test is 12 inches.

How long does the candidate have to step on the bench?

The candidate must step on the bench for three minutes.

What happens immediately after the three minutes of stepping?

Immediately after three minutes of stepping, the candidate sits down on the bench.

How long is the heart rate taken after the stepping exercise?

A 60-second heart rate is taken starting five seconds after the completion of stepping.

Who takes the candidate's pulse after the test?

The pulse will be taken by another candidate.

What happens if a candidate does not complete the test?

If a candidate does not complete the test, they will be referred to their physician and will not proceed to the fitness assessment.

What does the test measure specifically after the candidate sits down?

The test measures the heart rate recovery during the one-minute period after the candidate sits down following the three minutes of stepping.

Is there a specific time when the heart rate should be taken after the candidate sits down?

Yes, the heart rate should be taken starting five seconds after the candidate has completed the stepping exercise and sat down.