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Reliability and sensitivity of the stair-climb test (SCT) of cardiorespiratory fitness for Singapore
Author
Tan, Frankie Hun Yau
Supervisor
Chia, Michael
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability and sensitivity of the Stair-Climb Test (SCT) to detect changes in cardiorespiratory fitness following 10 weeks of aerobic training in healthy male Singaporean adults. Thirty men (mean age 37 ± 9 years) underwent two Stair-Climb Tests (SCT1 & SCT2) at a Housing and Development Board (HDB) block and one maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max test on the treadmill (TMl), with at least 24 hours separating each test, during Phase 1. The predicted VO2max (PV02max) obtained from SCTl and SCT2 were 46.7 ± 4.5 and 47.3 ± 4.3 nL.kg-1.min-1 respectively. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was r = 0.95, coefficient of variation (CV) was 2.1% and change in the mean was 1.2%. During Phase 2, the participants were stratified and randomized into an exercise (E) or control (C) group based on the criterion measured VO2max (MVO2max) obtained from TM1. The training prescription for the E group consisted of thrice weekly 30-min sessions of aerobic exercises, at a target intensity ranging from 60% to 90% of maximum heart rate. The physical activity pattern of the C group remained unchanged. Following the intervention period, all participants underwent one SCT (SCT3) and one treadmill V02max test (TM2) during Phase 3. Pre-training MV02max (E: 43.9 ± 6.9; C: 43.6 ± 7.0 nL.kg-1.min-1, p > 0.05) and PV02max (E: 48.4 ± 4.3; C: 46.1 ± 4.2 nL.kg-1.min-1, p < 0.05) from TMl and SCT2 were compared with post-training MVO2max (E: 48.5 ± 7.3; C: 39.5 ± 6.8 mL.kg-1 < 0.05) and PVO2max (E: 49.7 ± 4.4; C: 46.0 ± 4.1 rnL.kg-1 min-1,~ < 0.05) from TM2 and SCT3 respectively, using paired sample t-tests. The results showed that MV02max increased significantly by 10.5% (SD 3.5 nL.kg-1.min-1) in the E group and decreased significantly by 9.4% (SD 4.2 nL.kg-1.min-1) in the C group. The SCT underestimated the difference of changes in V02max (3.3 ml.kg-1 min-1) for the E group and overestimated the difference (3.9 ml.kg-1 min-1) for the C group. The Spearman rank coefficients for the PVO2max and MVO2max before (r; = 0.66) and after (r, = 0.60) the training intervention were significant (p < 0.05), indicating that the PV02max were similarly ranked as the MVO2max. The results showed a moderately positive relationship between the PVO2max and MVO2max. Based on the results of the present study, we can conclude that the SCT is a very reliable field test of cardiorespiratory fitness. However, the SCT (I) over-predicted the MVO2max prior to training; (2) did not accurately monitor the change in MVO2max after 10 weeks of aerobic training; (3) but can acceptably rank and categorize participants' MVO2max into broad categories, before and after training. The SCT may serve as a simple, self-administered procedure that encourages sedentary individuals to engage in moderate aerobic exercise. It should not be used to yield a precise indication of cardiorespiratory fitness, but rather to create an interest in exercise by providing a broad categorization of fitness, thereby motivating individuals to greater physical activity. It may serve as a motivational tool to encourage Singaporeans to use the stairs for exercise.
Date Issued
2003
Call Number
GV436 Tan
Date Submitted
2003