Tecumseh Step Test. Assessing our cardiorespiratory capacity with the Tecumseh Step Test. The Tecumseh step test is a modified version of the Harvard Step Test developed by Professor Henry J. Montoye. The objective of this test is to monitor the development of the our cardio-respiratory fitness.
Required resources
To undertake this test you will require:
- Gym bench or step (8 inches/20.3 cm high)
- Stop watch
- Assistant.
How to conduct The Tecumseh Step Test?
The Tecumseh step test is conducted as follows:- Perform a step cycle of four-step cadence (right foot up, left foot up, right foot down and left foot down) completing 24 cycles in one minute. This is 2 cycles in a 5 second period
- Have someone to help you keep to the required pace or you could use a metronome set at 96 beats/minute
- Perform the test for 3 minutes
- 30 seconds after finishing the test count the number of pulse beats for 30 seconds.
The number of beats counted in 30 seconds is then used in the table below to determine the athlete's grade.
Analysis
Analysis of the result is by comparing it with the results of previous tests. It is expected that, with appropriate training between each test, the analysis would indicate an improvement.
Performance assessment
For an evaluation of the athlete's performance select the age group and gender, enter the number of beats in 30 seconds and then select the 'Calculate'button.
The following table is for male athletes over the age of 19.
| Classification | Age | |||
| 28-29 | 30-39 | 39-49 | 49+ | |
| Outstanding | 34-36 | 35-38 | 37-39 | 37-40 |
| Very Good | 37-40 | 39-41 | 40-42 | 41-43 |
| Good | 41-42 | 42-43 | 43-44 | 44-45 |
| Fair | 43-47 | 44-47 | 45-49 | 46-49 |
| Low | 48-51 | 48-51 | 50-53 | 50-53 |
| Poor | 52-59 | 52-59 | 54-60 | 54-62 |
The following table is for female athletes over the age of 19.
| Classification | Age | |||
| 28-29 | 30-39 | 39-49 | 49+ | |
| Outstanding | 39-42 | 39-42 | 41-43 | 41-44 |
| Very Good | 43-44 | 43-45 | 44-45 | 45-47 |
| Good | 45-46 | 46-47 | 46-47 | 48-49 |
| Fair | 47-52 | 48-53 | 48-54 | 50-55 |
| Low | 53-56 | 54-56 | 55-57 | 56-58 |
| Poor | 57-66 | 57-66 | 58-67 | 59-66 |
Target group
This test is suitable for active and sedentary athletes but not for individuals where the test would be contraindicated.
Reliability
Reliability would depend upon how strict the test is conducted and the individual's level of motivation to perform the test.
Validity
There are published tables to relate results to a potential level of fitness and the correlation is high.