Fitness Institute for Training

Cardiorespiratory Function

Katch-McArdle Step Test

Instructions for Test Administration

Name _____________________________________________________ Date ___________

The Katch-McArdle Step Test is moderately stressful and therefore can be used with healthy, younger, fitter individuals. It should not be used for the evaluation of untrained or detrained individuals.

1. Use a 16" bench. The first row of gymnasium bleachers is (about) 16" high.

2. Set the metronome at 96 for males or 88 for females. This provides a stepping rate of 24 or 22 step-ups per minute. A setting of 92 can be used for mixed groups.

3. The subject steps for three minutes.

4. Upon completion of the test, have the subject sit on the bench.

5. Immediately locate the carotid pulse . . . count pulse rate for fifteen seconds starting five seconds post exercise. Record data.

6. Calculate (estimated) VO_2max value using the appropriate formula below:

15 second heart rate = _________ Age _________ Classification _________

Men: VO_2max = 111.33 - (0.42 x 15' HR x 4) VO_2max = _________

Women: VO_2max = 65.81 - (0.1847 x 15' HR x 4) VO_2max = _________

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Aerobic Capacity Classification

Women Age Low Fair Average Good High

20 - 29 <29 29 - 34 35 - 40 41 - 46 >46

30 - 39 <28 28 - 33 34 - 38 39 – 45 >45

40 – 49 <26 26 - 31 32 - 37 38 – 43 >43

50 - 65 <22 22 - 26 27 - 34 35 - 40 >40

Men Age Low Fair Average Good High

20 – 29 <38 38 - 41 42 - 50 51 - 55 >55

30 – 39 <34 34 - 37 38 - 42 43 - 50 >50

40 – 49 <30 30 - 35 36 - 40 41 - 46 >46

50 – 59 <26 26 - 30 31 - 38 39 - 42 >42

60 - 69 <22 22 - 25 26 - 33 34 - 37 >37

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Pollock and Wilmore, Exercise in Health and Disease. 1990.