YMCA Bench Step Test

Question 1

what is the YMCA bench step test good for

Answer 1

an easy test that a client can do under your supervision or possibly on his/her own at home

Question 2

the YMCA bench step test is based on what

Answer 2

how quickly the HR recovers following a short bout of exercise

Question 3

how tall is the step

Answer 3

12 inches

Question 4

what rate do participants step at

Answer 4

24 complete steps per minute
-use a metronome set at 96 BPM that can be found by searching google for “metronome online”

Question 5

YMCA bench step test procedures

Answer 5

1. explain + demonstrate the test to your client in terms they can understand. in time with the beat, the pt will step up with one foot + then the other. still in time with the beat, the pt should next step down with one foot + then the other. then permit your pt to practice
2. obtain resting vitals after being seated for a minimum of 5 minutes
3. the test consists of stepping on + off of the platform in cadence with the metronome, for 3 minutes
4. at 3 minutes, the pt should immediately step off of the platform + sit down. within 5 seconds, begin taking the heart beat count (HBC) for one complete minute. other vital signs should be taken/assessed after HBC

Question 6

how long is the participant stepping for

Answer 6

3 minutes

Question 7

after the 3 minutes is up, what do you do

Answer 7

-the pt should immediately step off of the platform + sit down
-within 5 seconds, begin taking the heart beat count (HBC) for one complete minute
-other vital signs should be taken/assessed after HBC

Question 8

a delay in starting the HBC assessment will underestimate/overestimate the patient’s fitness level + why

Answer 8

overestimate
-because HR begins to drop immediately upon stopping

Question 9

what is the client’s test score

Answer 9

the total HBC post-exercise for one minute
-then use the chart provided to get the client’s ranking based on age

Question 10

what do you do after getting the post-test HBC

Answer 10

use the provided equation to calculate predicted VO2 max from the HBC
-be able to tell CI if the predicted VO2 max ranking for age