Maximal Step Test: A New Approach to Step Test Improvements

The purpose of this study was to introduce a new maximal step test (NMST) with adjusted step height based on the knee joint angle of 90°. Thirty female students of physical education With (Mean ± SD, ages: 23.6±2.11 yr, height: 164.63±7.14cm, weight: 60.97±4.01 kg, body fat percent: 23.6±2.11) participated in the study and performed both NMST and a maximal graded excise test (GXT) to measure maximal oxygen consumption (VO ). There were significant correlations between VO , Peak Heart Rate (PHR) and 2max 2max respiratory quotient in both tests (P 0.01). NMST as a maximal step test does not require many resources and is also not very expensive. In addition, modification of the step height based on the knee angle of 90° in NMST reduces muscle fatigue or pain and also may lessen the inter individual variability in oxygen cost during the task. Therefore, NMST is recommended as a valid and a simple test to evaluate VO with high accuracy. 2max Abbreviated: New Maximal Step Test with Adjusted Step Height Based on the Knee Joint Angle of 90°