The STEP™ test measures how well your muscles use oxygen when you are physically active. Specifically, the STEP™ tests measures the volume of oxygen you use or your “VO2 maximum” score as you step up stairs. The higher the VO2 maximum, the more fit you are.
How do you take a STEP™ test? All you need is a set of standard height stairs (most sets of stairs would fit this category) with two or more steps. If you feel uneasy climbing steps without support, select a set of stairs with a handrail. Stand on the ground facing the stairs and using only the first two steps of the staircase walk out this pattern: “left foot up (landing on the first step), right foot up (landing on the second step), both feet together (left foot joins right foot on the second step), left foot down (landing on the first step), right foot down (landing on the ground), both feet together (on the ground)” and repeat.. Your coach times you as you repeat the pattern 20 times and uses this score along with other measures (pulse, weight, height, age, and gender) to identify your VO2 maximum and tell you how fit you are! Still have questions? Send us an e-mail at health.e.steps@ubc.ca to ask for more information about the STEP™ test.