Step tests of cardiorespiratory fitness suitable for mass testing.

Step tests have been widely used to assess cardiorespiratory fitness. Work rate is determined by step height and step frequency, whereas the total amount of work done depends upon the number and duration of work periods. In all step tests which are suitable for mass testing, performance is based on heart rate during recovery. A review of the literature strongly suggests that step tests can give reliable and valid measures of cardiorespiratory fitness provided that (a) the subjects have received adequate instruction and practice in taking the test prior to the criterion test performance, and (b) the work load is above a certain threshold.