If the individual’s heart rate is below the ceiling post-exercise heart rate shown in Figure 2 and there

are no contraindications, have the individual complete another stepping stage. Repeat the same
stepping, timing, and counting procedure as for stage one until the individual’s HR reaches the
ceiling post-exercise heart rate

The researcher shall discontinue the step test if:

a. an individual stops;
b. an individual’s post-exercise HR is equal to or exceeds the ceiling limit as indicated in Figure. 2.
c. an individual cannot maintain the proper cadence after the first minute of stepping
(for physiological reasons or not);
d. an individual demonstrates signs and symptoms of pain or discomfort (for example, staggering),
complains of dizziness, extreme leg pain, nausea, chest pain, shows facial pallor or mental
confusion;
e. at any time, the evaluator becomes concerned with the safety of an individual

The post-exercise measures are taken after the last stepping stage is completed to ensure that HR
and BP drop below the resting ceilings levels. Thus, HR must be less than 100 bpm, systolic BP less
than 150 mm Hg, and diastolic BP less than 100 mm Hg.

The calculation of VO2 max

The calculation of VO2 max shall be done as follows:
a. confirm the final stepping stage then determine the O2 cost for this level of exertion using
Figure 5 below;

b. confirm the individual’s body mass (weight) in kg and age in years as recorded in block
D2 and A respectively;
c. c. insert these three variables (O2 cost, body mass, and age) into the VO2 max formula in
block D2;
d. record the VO2 max score.
This recording lasts for 3 minutes each time and tells the subject when to stop so that the

researcher can take the subjects pulse to check if they have reached their ceiling heart rate.

Subjects will not proceed to the next stage if they have reached their maximum or ceiling heart

rate.