Validation of a Novel Incremental Step Test for Assessment of Cardiopulmonary Fitness and Ventilatory Thresholds in Adults
This study is looking for healthy adults aged 18-55 to help test a new, easier way to measure fitness. Currently, fitness is often measured using a special exercise bike test. This research wants to see if a simple step test, using a small step board, can provide similar information about your heart, lungs, and how your body uses energy during exercise. If successful, this new step test could be a more accessible way for doctors and fitness experts to check someone's fitness levels. Participants will do a bike test and two step tests to see how accurate and consistent the new step test is compared to the established method.
At a glance
What is this study about?
This research study is trying to find a simpler way to understand how fit someone's heart and lungs are. Currently, doctors and researchers often use a special exercise bike test, called a CPET, which measures how well your body uses oxygen and processes energy when you exercise. While this test is very good, it needs specialist equipment and can be quite involved.
The researchers want to see if a new, simpler step test can provide the same accurate information as the bike test. Imagine a test you could do on a small step board, stepping up and down to a beat. If this step test works just as well, it could make fitness assessments much easier to do, perhaps in more places and for more people.
By comparing the new step test with the established bike test, the study hopes to confirm if the step test can accurately measure how your body responds to exercise, especially how your breathing and heart rate change as you work harder. It also wants to check if the step test gives consistent results each time you do it, showing it's a reliable tool for measuring fitness.
Key takeaways
- This study compares a new step test to a standard bike test for measuring fitness.
- It aims to find an easier, more accessible way to check heart and lung health.
- Participants will undergo a bike test and two step tests over three visits.
- The tests involve exercising until you are tired, with close monitoring.
- Findings could lead to better ways for doctors to assess individual fitness.
- Healthy adults aged 18-55 are needed, without certain medical conditions.
Who may be eligible?
To join this study, you need to be a healthy adult, aged between 18 and 55 years old. Your weight should be within a healthy range for your height (this is checked by something called your Body Mass Index, or BMI, which should be between 18.5 and 29.9). It's important that you don't smoke and you shouldn't have any serious ongoing health problems that would make intense exercise unsafe, such as heart, lung, nerve, or bone conditions.
We also need to make sure you're not currently taking any medications that might affect how your body responds to exercise. If you have an injury, are feeling unwell, or are pregnant, you won't be able to take part. Also, you must be able to understand the study information and agree to take part, and be able to come to all the required study appointments.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you between 18 and 55 years old?
- Do you have a healthy weight for your height?
- Are you a non-smoker?
- Do you have good overall health with no serious heart, lung, or joint problems?
- Are you currently not pregnant or planning to be soon?
- Can you commit to three laboratory visits for exercise testing?
What does participation involve?
If you decide to take part, you'll visit the laboratory three times, with at least three days between each visit, and ideally at a similar time of day. On your first visit, we'll check your health and measure your height and weight. You'll then do a full fitness test on an exercise bike. This involves cycling at a steady pace while the resistance gradually increases, until you feel you can't continue. After this, you'll have a practice session on a step board to get used to the stepping rhythm and technique.
On your second and third visits, you'll do the new step test. This involves stepping up and down on a 25cm step board to a beat, which gradually gets faster. You'll keep stepping until you're too tired to continue at the required pace. Throughout all tests, we'll monitor your breathing, heart rate, and heart rhythm using special equipment. There are no medications involved in this study. The total duration of your involvement, from your first visit to your last, will likely be about a week or two.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- Oriam Scotlant Performance CentreVerified postcodeEdinburgh, United Kingdom
Common questions
What is the main goal of this study?
The study aims to see if a new, simpler step test can accurately measure fitness levels, just as well as the current standard exercise bike test.
Will I have to exercise very hard?
Yes, both the bike test and the step tests require you to exercise until you are too tired to continue, as this helps us measure your maximum fitness.
What equipment will be used on me?
During the tests, you'll wear equipment to monitor your breathing, heart rate, and heart's electrical activity (ECG) to gather important data.
How many times do I need to visit?
You will need to visit the laboratory three separate times to complete all the tests.
Are there any health conditions that would stop me from joining?
Yes, if you have conditions affecting your heart, lungs, nerves, muscles, or bones that make intense exercise unsafe, or if you are pregnant, you cannot take part.
How to find out more
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
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