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Chester step test (CST) estimates the exercise capacity through a submaximal response, which can limit its application in the prescription of exercise. This study aimed to assess whether an adaptation of the CST (with a progressive profile) can have maximal response characteristics in young women and compare it to the incremental shuttle walk test...
Contexts in source publication
Context 1
... variables had significant positive correlations classified as weak and moderate (0.38≤ r ≤ 0.55; p < 0.05) (Table 3). Table 4 presents the relative and absolute reliability results of the aCST and ISWT. According to ICC2,1 values, we found fair to good within-day test-retest reliability for the adapted CST, and excellent within-day test-retest reliability for the ISWT. ...Context 2
... to ICC2,1 values, we found fair to good within-day test-retest reliability for the adapted CST, and excellent within-day test-retest reliability for the ISWT. According to the %SRD, the aCST (number of steps) presented a value higher than 30% suggesting an unacceptable level of reliability (Table 4). ICC, intraclass correlation coefficient; SEM, standard error of measurement; SRD, smallest real difference. ...Similar publications
The study objective was to investigated the reliability and validity of the ADL-Glittre test (TGlittre) to assess the functional status of patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD). Twenty-one individuals with ILD participated (age: 63 ± 11 years; DLCO: 51.0 ± 12.6%predicted), evaluated with body plethysmography, Saint George Respiratory Questi...
Citations
... A common method of testing cardiorespiratory fitness in UK firefighters is the submaximal Chester Step test (CST), which offers good test-retest reliability in estimating maximal aerobic capacity (VO2 max) [7,8] and is considered an accessible method of assessing V O 2 max within occupational settings such as firefighting [9,10]. However, V O 2 max estimates from the CST may significantly differ from values obtained via direct maximal treadmill testing [7] and there remains limited evidence regarding the validity of the CST in firefighting specifically. ...
Background
Typically, the fitness of UK firefighters is assessed via submaximal estimate methods due to the low demands on time, money, expertise and equipment. However, the firefighter-specific validity of such testing in relation to maximum aerobic capacity (V˙O2max) and particularly muscular strength is not well established.
Aims
To examine the validity of submaximal methods to estimate V˙O2max and maximal strength in operational firefighters.
Methods
Twenty-two full-time operational firefighters (3 female) completed same-day submaximal (Chester Step Test; CST) and maximal (treadmill) assessments of V˙O2max, with a sub-sample of 10 firefighters (1 female) also completing submaximal and maximal back-squat (i.e. one repetition maximum; 1RM) assessments. All participants then completed the Firefighter Simulation Test (FFST) within 2–4 days.
Results
CST underestimated actual V˙O2max by 1.4 ml·kg–1·min–1 (~3%), although V˙O2max values were positively correlated (r = 0.61, P < 0.01) and not significantly different. Estimated V˙O2max values negatively correlated with FFST performance (r = –0.42). Predicted 1RM underestimated actual 1RM by ~2%, although these values were significantly correlated (r = 0.99, P < 0.001) and did not significantly differ. The strongest predictive model of FFST performance included age, body mass index, and direct maximal measures of 1RM and V˙O2max.
Conclusions
Submaximal back-squat testing offers good validity in estimating maximum firefighter strength without exposure to the fatigue associated with maximal methods. The CST provides a reasonably valid and cost-effective V˙O2max estimate which translates to firefighting task performance, although the error observed means it should be used cautiously when making operational decisions related to V˙O2max benchmarks.
... Because of this, step tests are a suitable alternative which, in addition to the advantages mentioned above, require little equipment (an easily transportable platform), and the stepping skill requires little practice [1]. Additionally, step tests with an incremental and externally paced profile can provide a maximal cardiorespiratory response [13]. ...
Step tests are important in community- and home-based rehabilitation programs to assess patients’ exercise capacity. A new incremental step test was developed for this purpose, but its clinical interpretability is currently limited. This study aimed to establish a reference equation for this new incremental step test (IST) for the Portuguese adult population. A cross-sectional study was conducted on people without disabilities. Sociodemographic (age and sex), anthropometric (weight, height, and body mass index), smoking status, and physical activity (using the brief physical activity assessment tool) data were collected. Participants performed two repetitions of the IST and the best test was used to establish the reference equation with a forward stepwise multiple regression. An analysis comparing the results from the reference equation with the actual values was conducted with the Wilcoxon test. A total of 155 adult volunteers were recruited (60.6% female, 47.8 ± 19.7 years), and the reference equation was as follows: steps in IST = 475.52 − (4.68 × age years) + (30.5 × sex), where male = 1 and female = 0, and r2 = 60%. No significant differences were observed between the values performed and those obtained by the equation (p = 0.984). The established equation demonstrated that age and sex were the determinant variables for the variability of the results.
