The Queens College Step Test is a submaximal exercise test used to estimate cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) by measuring heart rate recovery after a fixed duration of stepping up and down on a step. While VO2 max testing using a metabolic cart is the gold standard for measuring CRF, the Queens College Step Test provides an affordable and accessible alternative that has been shown to provide reasonably accurate estimates of CRF in young, low-risk adults. Though not as precise as VO2 max testing, the Queens College Step Test requires only basic equipment like a metronome or timer and stopwatch and can be completed in a timely manner, making it a practical option for assessing CRF in many settings.

1. Cardiorespiratory Fitness:
Queens College Step Test
Taylor Briggs, ESMS 4000 – Fall 2020

2. Purpose: Cardiorespiratory Fitness (CRF) analysis
examines how well the heart, respiratory system
and skeletal muscle system perform work during
prolonged physical activity.
• CRF serves as an indicator of an individual's health status. (Kaminsky et al., 2013)
• One of the oldest methods of calculating CRF (Liguori, 2018).
• The Queen College (QC) step measures VO2 max using the subjects recovering HR after
performing a fixed amount of work for a fixed amount of time.
• Lower VO2 max score have been associated with cardiovascular disease.

3. Golden Standard: VO2 max is most accurately
recorded using a metabolic cart.
• Maximal exercise tests that record the expiration of gases ( VO2 max) are the
golden standard in terms of CRF testing (Liguori, 2018).
• Maximal exercise test often require trained personnel.
• Time consuming
The metabolic cart is the most accurate equipment in measuring CRF, but……
• It is EXPENSIVE. Therefore my group chose the alternative method of measuring
CRF through submaximal exercise; field test.

4. Applicability: QC step test is the most relevant and
useful to young adults.
• Young and low risk.
• Simple to perform, but fairly accurate (Chatterjee S,.et al)
• Cost efficient
• Timely

5. Limitations:
• Equipment – must have a electronic metronome.
• Inexpensive and easy device to own and operate.
• HR monitor is encouraged but not required
• Stopwatch/Timer
• Will require a proctor
• 16.25 inch step
• Subjects –
• Suitable for sedentary or active young adults
• Not recommended for:
• Older adults/Senior citizen
• Knee or joint problems or disease
This test must be performed to the “T” or the results obtained are invalid.

6. Accuracy: Not the Golden standard test but still
accurate…
• Standard Error of Estimate (SEE) : 3-5%
• The biggest causes for error during testing are not following protocol and not
completing the test in its entirety.

7. References
Chatterjee S, Chatterjee P, Mukherjee PS, et alValidity of Queen’s College step test for use with young Indian men. British
Journal of Sports Medicine 2004;38:289-291
Kaminsky, L. A., Arena, R., Beckie, T. M., Brubaker, P. H., Church, T. S., Forman, D. E., . . . Williams, M. A. (2013). The
Importance of Cardiorespiratory Fitness in the United States: The Need for a National Registry. Circulation, 127(5), 652-662.
doi:10.1161/cir.0b013e31827ee100
Liguori, G. (2018). ACSM's health-related physical fitness assessment manual. pgs 112-133. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.
Newland, A., & Nguyen, K. (2018, December 01). Queen's College Step Test and Its Validity of VO(2max) Prediction on Young
Healthy Females. Retrieved September 06, 2020, from https://rc.library.uta.edu/uta-ir/handle/10106/27945