Tecumseh Step Test

Testing and measurement are the means of collecting information upon which subsequent performance evaluations and decisions are made but in the analysis we need to bear in mind the factors that may influence the results.

Objective

The objective of this test is to monitor the development of the athlete's cardio respiratory fitness.

Required Resources

To undertake this test you will require:

A gym bench or step (8 inches/20.3 cm high)
A stop watch
An Assistant

How to conduct the test

The Tecumseh Step Test is conducted as follows:

Perform a step cycle of four-step cadence (right foot up, left foot up, right foot down and left foot down) completing 24 cycles in one minute. This is 2 cycles in a 5 second period.
Have someone to help you keep to the required pace or you could use a metronome set at 96 beats/minute.
Perform the test for 3 minutes
30 seconds after finishing the test count the number of pulse beats for 30 seconds
The number of beats counted in 30 seconds is then used in the table below to determine the athlete's grade.

Analysis

Analysis of the result is by comparing it with the results of previous tests. It is expected that, with appropriate training between each test, the analysis would indicate an improvement.

Normative data for the Tecumseh Step Test

The following table is for Male athletes over the age of 19.

Classification	20-29	30-39	40-49	49+
Outstanding	34-36	35-38	37-39	37-40
Very Good	37-40	39-41	40-42	41-43
Good	41-42	42-43	43-44	44-45
Fair	43-47	44-47	45-49	46-49
Low	48-51	48-51	50-53	50-53
Poor	52-59	52-59	54-60	54-62

The following table is for Female athletes over the age of 19.

Classification	20-29	30-39	40-49	49+
Outstanding	39-42	39-42	41-43	41-44
Very Good	43-44	43-45	44-45	45-47
Good	45-46	46-47	46-47	48-49
Fair	47-52	48-53	48-54	50-55
Low	53-56	54-56	55-57	56-58
Poor	57-66	57-66	58-67	59-66

Table Reference: McArdle W.D. et al; Essential of Exercise Physiology; 2000

Target Group

This test is suitable for active and sedentary athletes but not for individuals where the test would be contraindicated.

Reliability

Reliability would depend upon, how strict the test is conducted and the individual's level of motivation to perform the test.

Validity

There are published tables to relate results to a potential level of fitness and the correlation is high.

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Associated Pages

The following Sports Coach pages should be read in conjunction with this page:

Associated Books

The following books provide more information related to this topic:

Advanced Studies in Physical Education and Sport, P Beashel et al., ISBN 0 17 4482345
Physical Education and the Study of Sport, B. Davis et al., ISBN 0 7234 31752
Essentials of Exercise Physiology, W.D. McArdle et al., ISBN 0 683 30507 7
Physical Education and Sport Studies, D. Roscoe et al., ISBN 1 901424 20 0
The World of Sport Examined, P. Beashel et al., ISBN 0 17 438719 9
Advanced PE for Edexcel, F. Galligan et al., ISBN 0 435 50643 9
Examining Physical Education, K. Bizley, ISBN 0 435 50660 9
Sport and PE, K Wesson et al., ISBN 0 340 683821
PE for you, J. Honeybourne, ISBN 0 7487 3277 2