Buckley J P, Sim J, Eston R G, Hession R, Fox R
Keele University, Stoke, UK.
Br J Sports Med. 2004 Apr;38(2):197-205. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.2003.005389.
To evaluate the reliability and validity of measures taken during the Chester step test (CST) used to predict VO(2)max and prescribe subsequent exercise.
The CST was performed twice on separate days by 7 males and 6 females aged 22.4 (SD 4.6) years. Heart rate (HR), ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and oxygen uptake (VO(2)) were measured at each stage of the CST.
RPE, HR, and actual VO(2) were the same at each stage for both trials but each of these measures was significantly different between CST stages (p<0.0005). Intertrial bias +/-95% limits of agreement (95% LoA) of HR reached acceptable limits at CST stage IV (-2+/-10 beats/min) and for RPE at stages III (0.2+/-1.4) and IV (0.5+/-1.9). Age estimated HRmax significantly overestimated actual HRmax of 5 beats/min (p = 0.016) and the 95% LoA showed that this error could range from an underestimation of 17 beats/min to an overestimation of 7 beats/min. Estimated versus actual VO(2) at each CST stage during both trials showed errors ranging between 11% and 19%. Trial 1 underestimated actual VO(2)max by 2.8 ml/kg/min (p = 0.006) and trial 2 by 1.6 ml/kg/min (not significant). The intertrial agreement in predicted VO(2)max was relatively narrow with a bias +/-95% LoA of -0.8+/-3.7 ml/kg/min. The RPE and %HRmax (actual) correlation improved with a second trial. At all CST stages in trial 2 RPE:%HRmax coefficients were significant with the highest correlations at CST stages III (r = 0.78) and IV (r = 0.84).
CST VO(2)max prediction validity is questioned but the CST is reliable on a test-retest basis. VO(2)max prediction error is due more to VO(2) estimation error at each CST stage compared with error in age estimated HRmax. The HR/RPE relation at >50% VO(2)max reliably represents the recommended intensity for developing cardiorespiratory fitness, but only when a practice trial of the CST is first performed.
评估切斯特台阶试验（CST）过程中所采取测量方法用于预测最大摄氧量（VO₂max）及指导后续运动处方的可靠性和有效性。
7名男性和6名女性（年龄22.4[标准差4.6]岁）在不同日期进行了两次CST。在CST的每个阶段测量心率（HR）、主观用力程度分级（RPE）和摄氧量（VO₂）。
两次试验中每个阶段的RPE、HR和实际VO₂均相同，但这些测量指标在CST各阶段之间均存在显著差异（p<0.0005）。HR的两次试验间偏差±95%一致性界限（95%LoA）在CST第四阶段达到可接受限度（-2±10次/分钟），RPE在第三阶段（0.2±1.4）和第四阶段（0.5±1.9）达到可接受限度。年龄估算的最大心率（HRmax）显著高估了实际HRmax 5次/分钟（p = 0.016），95%LoA表明该误差范围可从低估17次/分钟到高估7次/分钟。两次试验中每个CST阶段估算的VO₂与实际VO₂相比，误差范围在11%至19%之间。试验1低估实际VO₂max 2.8毫升/千克/分钟（p = 0.006），试验2低估1.6毫升/千克/分钟（无显著性差异）。预测VO₂max的两次试验间一致性相对较窄，偏差±95%LoA为-0.8±3.7毫升/千克/分钟。第二次试验时RPE与最大心率百分比（实际）的相关性有所改善。在试验2的所有CST阶段，RPE与最大心率百分比系数均显著，在CST第三阶段（r = 0.78）和第四阶段（r = 0.84）相关性最高。
CST对VO₂max的预测有效性受到质疑，但CST在重测时具有可靠性。与年龄估算的HRmax误差相比，VO₂max预测误差更多是由于每个CST阶段VO₂估算误差所致。在VO₂max>50%时，HR/RPE关系可靠地代表了发展心肺适能的推荐强度，但前提是首先要进行一次CST练习试验。
