Tecumseh step test
Tecumseh step test | |
---|---|
Purpose | test cardiovascular fitness |
The Tecumseh step test is an exercise test that researchers use to determine a person's cardiovascular fitness level.
The Tecumseh step test is a modified version of the Harvard Step Test, and was developed by Professor Henry J. Montoye at the Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan. The main differences from the original protocol were the lower step height (8 inches instead of 20), the more moderate stepping rate (24 steps/min instead of 30) and the shorter duration (3 minutes instead of 5 minutes). These alterations made this test easier to perform in people across a wide range of ages and physical capacities, and therefore suitable for epidemiological studies.
The Tecumseh step test was employed in the Tecumseh Community Health Study run between the 1950s and 60s. During this study, around 5,488 people performed the Tecumseh step test.[1] The number of heart beats from 30 seconds after the end of the 3-minute step test to 1 minute after the step test was used to assess cardiovascular fitness level.[2]