Majalah Kedokteran Nusantara Volume 39 No.

3 September 2006 151

A Comparative Study on The Physical Fitness Level Using
The Harvard, Sharkey, and Kash Step Test

Gusbakti Rusip
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine
Islamic University of North Sumatra, Medan


Abstract: Step test is one of the indexes used to evaluate the physical fitness of subjects. However,
there are three methods of step tests that can be used, each varying in step height: Harvard step test
with a bench height of 45 cm for male and 43 cm for female; Sharkey step test with a height of 40 cm
for male and 33 cm for female and Kash step test with a height of 30 cm for both male and female. The
purpose of this study was to do a comparative evaluation among the three types of step test and to
determine the optimal test in our subjects. Twenty-six medical students (male and female, 19-24 years
in age) participated in all the three types of step tests in random order. The rhythm of the stepping was
maintained with the help of a metronome for 5min, after which the recovery heart rate was measured
according to the respective step test method. The data was analyzed using t-test and correlation
analysis. The results indicate that Sharkey step test correlated significantly with Kash step tests
(p>0.05). In conclusion, the Sharkey step test was easier and optimal in evaluating the level of
physical fitness and the recovery of the cardiovascular system.
Keywords: step test methods, metronome and cardiovascular endurance


Abstrak: Step test merupakan salah satu jenis pengukuran tingkat kebugaran seseorang. Diketahui
terdapat tiga metode step test yang berbeda dalam tingginya antara lain metode Harvard dengan
menggunakan tinggi bangku bagi laki-laki 45 cm, wanita 43 cm; metode Sharkey untuk laki-laki 40 cm
dan wanita 33 cm sedangkan metode Kash menggunakan tinggi yang sama baik laki maupun wanita
30 cm. Tujuan penelitian ini membandingkan ketiga metode ini dengan mendapat hasil yang optimal.
Penelitian ini melibatkan 24 mahasiswa/i baik laki maupun wanita yang berumur 1924 tahun.
Kesemua naracoba diikut sertakan dalam menjalan ketiga metode ini yang dilakukan secara acak.
Naik turun tangga ini dilakukan dengan mengikuti irama yang teratur dari metronom selama 5 menit
(150 kali naik turun), pengukuran denyut nadi dilakukan pada masa pemulihan bagi setiap naracoba.
Data yang didapat dianalisa secara statistik dengan uji-t dan analisa korelasi. Dari hasil penelitian
ini didapati suatu korelasi yang signifikan pengukuran tingkat kebugaran dengan metode Sharkey
dibandingkan dengan metode Kash (p < 0.01), dengan metode Harvard (p < 0.01). Sedangkan, bila
dibandingkan metode Harvard dengan metode Kash tidak ada korelasi yang signifikan (p> 0.05).
Dapat disimpulkan bahwa dengan metode Sharkey lebih mudah dilakukan yang menghasilkan
pengukuran tingkat kebugaran yang optimal.
Kata kunci: metode naik turun tangga, metronom dan kebugaran


INTRODUCTION
Step test is one of the indexes used to
evaluate the physical fitness of subjects. The
level of physical fitness is one of parameters to
improve individuals and societys health.
1,2

Regular exercises can improve physical
fitness. The measurement of physical fitness is
aimed to know the endurance of cardiovascular.
This component of cardiovascular is important
to measure someones physical fitness.
According to the previous study, the recovery of
cardiovascular system. Pulse measurement at the
recovery by step test tends to be effective to
dedicate that the physical fitness in aerobic.
3,4
In
other researchers have reported that the step test
in the direct examination of physical fitness can
not measure VO
2max
.
5
The measurement of the
endurance of cardiovascular surely applies some
methods, such as Running test of 2.4 km,
Running/walking test for 12 minutes, Fast
walking test and step tests. From some tests
mentioned, the research is interested to study of
step test which has got some methods, such as
Harvard, Sharkey, and Kash.
6
Froelicher (1983),
said that measure of endurance with step test in
filed have many advantage for example of which
is cheap relative, did not need electrics and
calibrate appliance.
7

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Majalah Kedokteran Nusantara Volume 39 No. 3 September 2006 152
Purpose
This study was to do a comparative
evaluation among the three types of step tests
and to determine the optimal test in our subjects.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
Twenty-six medical students (male and
female, 19-24 years in age) participated an all
the three types of step tests in random order.

Experimental procedure
Every subjects takes an exercise by step test
according 3 methods, and detect a pulse at the
recovery. However, there are three methods of
step tests that can be used, each varying in step
height: Harvard step test with a bench height of
45 cm for male and 43 cm for female; Sharkey
step test with a height of 40 cm for male and 33
cm for female and Kash step test with a height
of 30 cm for both male and female.
Harvard method, Subject is asked go up
and down a bench rhythmically 120 time/
minutes regularly with a metronome for 5 min
(150 steps). The subjects raises his right leg and
put it on a bench after being commanded go
(start stopwatch), and then raised left leg beside
the right one, afterwards drops right leg and
followed by the left one. Before 5 min subjects
feel tired the detection is stopped and write
down the time. The subjects sits soon after
stopping, after 1 minute rest count pulse rate for
30 second.

Assessment formula: time in second x 100
2 x (pulse1+pulse2+pulse3)

Score level of physical fitness:
Criteria Score value
Excellent 5 > 90
Above average 4 80-89
Average 3 65-79
Below average 2 50-64
Poor 1 <50

Sharkey method, The body weight of the
subjects is weighed. Subject is asked go up and
down a bench rhythmically 90 time/ minutes
regularly with a metronome for 5 min. The
subjects raises his right leg and put it on a bench
after being commanded go (start stopwatch),
and then raised left leg beside the right one,
afterwards drops right leg and followed by the
left one. Before 5 min subjects feel tired the
detection is stopped and write down the time.
The subjects sits soon after stopping, after an
hour rest subjects sit 15 seconds, a pulse counted
for 15 seconds. The result made (indexes see
Table 1 and 2). They must match the body
weight of a subject with a pulse produced. The
level of physical fitness of the subjects can be
seen from the assessment criteria.

Score level of physical fitness
A g e
Criteria Score 25 35 45 55 65
M F M F M F M F M F
Excellent 5 45 42 43 40 41 3838 39 36 37 34
Above average 4 40 37 38 35 36 33 33 31 32 29
Average 3 35 32 33 30 31 28 29 26 27 24
Below average 2 30 27 28 25 26 23 24 21 22 20
Poor 1 25 22 23 20 21 18 19 16 17 15
Note: M: Male; F: Female

Kash method, The Subject is asked go up
and down a bench with rhythmically 96 time/
minutes regularly with a metronome for 3 min.
The subjects raises his right leg and put it on a
bench after being commanded go (start
stopwatch), and then raised left leg beside the
right one, afterwards drops right leg and
followed by the left one. Before 3 min subjects
feel tired the detection is stopped and write
down the time. The subjects sits soon after
stopping, after an hour rest subjects sits for 5
second, a pulse counted for 60 seconds.

Score level of physical fitness
Criteria Score
Pulse/minutes
Male Female
Excellent 5 71 96
Above
average
4 72 -102 97 - 127
Average 3 103 - 117 128 - 142
Below
average
2 118 - 147 143 - 171
Poor 1 > 148 > 178



Gusbakti Rusip A Comparative Study on The Physical


Majalah Kedokteran Nusantara Volume 39 No. 3 September 2006 153
Statistical analysis
The data was analyzed using t-test and
correlation analysis. Considered to have
significant difference (p<0.05).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The mayor finding of the present was that
level of fitness. Previous many research indicate
that to burn 2000 calorie one week in physical
fitness, including three methods seen to be its
influence fitness. The exercise can make
backside muscle, calf and thigh strive harder
than walking in flat place. Therefore, exercise
steps test influence performance.

Exercise step test by Harvard methods
The results of step test shows that 5 min are
17 persons (65%), and les than 5 min are 9
persons (34.6%). The level of physical fitness of
excellent are 2 persons (7.7%), above average
are 3 persons (11.5%), average are 12 persons
(46.1%), below average are 2 persons (7.7%),
and poor are 7 persons (26.9%).

Exercise step test by Sharkey methods
The results of step test shows that 5 min are
24 persons (92.3%), and les than 5 min are 2
persons (7.7%). The level of physical fitness of
excellent are 13 persons (50%), above average
are 10 persons (38.5%), average are 2 persons
(7.7%), below average are 1 persons (3.8%), and
of less none.

Exercise step test by Kash methods
The results of step test shows that 3 min are
26 persons (100%). The level of physical
fitness of excellent none, above average are 4
persons (15.4%), average are 8 persons (30.8%),
below average are 11 persons (42.3%), and poor
are 3 persons (11.5%).
The results indicate that Sharkey step test
correlated significantly with Kash step test (p<0.01)
and Harvard step test (p<0.01). However, there was
no significant correlation between Harvard and
Kash step tests (p>0.05). In this case, its step height
size of this three methods directly influence
physiological response especially cardiovascular.

CONCLUSION
The comparative three methods, the
Sharkey step-test was easier and optimal in
evaluating the level of physical fitness and the
recovery of the cardiovascular system. The step
height size influences the result of physical level
of fitness.


REFERENCES
1. Pedoman pengukuran kesegaran jasmani,
Depkes RI, 1994.
2. Mc Ardley WD, Katch FI, Katch VC.
Energy, nutrition and human performance.
Exercise physiology, (3
rd
), 1991; p: 339-4.
3. Maksud MG, Coutts KD, Tisrani FE.
Maximal VO
2
, ventilation, and heart rate of
olympic speed skating candidates. J Apll
Physiol, 1970; 29: 186.
4. Ness GE. Alteration in pulmonary
function consequent to competitive
swimmers and their parents, J Appl Physiol,
1974; 37: 27.
5. Miyamura M, Kuroda H, Hirata K and
Hinda H. Evaluation of the step test scores
based on the measurement of maximal
aerobic power, J Sport Med Physiol Fitness,
1975; 15: 316-22.
6. Brouha,L. The step test: a simple methode
of measuring physical fitness for muscular
work in young men, R.Q. 1943; 14: 31-6.
7. Froeliches VF. Exercise testing and
training. Chicago: Years book publ, 1983.

Table 1.
Physical fitness indexes for male
Pulse body weight (kg)
54 58 63 68 72 77 81 86 90 95 99 104 108
180 33.0 32.8 32.8 32.6 32.6 32.3 32.3 32.3 62.3 32.1 62.1 31.9 31.9
175 34.8 33.9 33.9 33.7 33.4 33.4 33.4 33.0 33.0 33.0 32.8 32.8 32.8
170 35.4 34.8 34.9 34.8 34.3 34.3 34.3 34.3 34.3 34.3 34.3 34.3 34.3
165 36.7 36.7 35.9 35.6 35.6 35.6 35.2 35.2 35.2 35.2 35.0 34.8 34.8
160 37.2 37.2 37.2 37.2 37.0 36.7 36.7 36.7 36.5 36.5 36.5 35.9 35.9
155 38.7 38.5 38.3 38.1 37.8 37.8 37.8 37.8 37.8 37.8 37.6 37.4 37.4
150 40.3 39.8 39.8 39.6 38.9 38.9 38.9 38.9 38.7 38.7 38.7 38.7 38.5
145 41.6 40.9 40.7 40.3 40.3 40.3 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0
140 42.9 42.7 42.0 41.8 41.8 41.8 41.6 41.6 41.6 41.6 41.6 41.6 41.6
135 44.4 44.0 43.3 43.1 43.1 43.1 43.1 43.1 43.1 42.9 42.9 42.7 42.5
130 46.2 45.8 45.5 45.3 45.1 44.9 44.9 44.9 44.7 44.7 44.7 44.2 44.2
125 48.0 47.3 47.1 46.9 46.6 46.6 46.6 46.6 46.6 46.6 46.6 46.6 46.6
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Majalah Kedokteran Nusantara Volume 39 No. 3 September 2006 154
120 49.7 49.3 49.1 48.8 48.6 48.6 48.4 48.4 48.4 48.4 48.4 48.4 48.4
115 51.7 51.7 51.5 51.0 51.0 51.0 51.0 51.0 50.6 50.6 50.6 50.4 49.5
110 53.7 53.7 53.5 53.2 53.2 53.0 52.8 52.8 52.8 52.6 52.6 51.7 51.3
105 56.1 56.1 56.1 55.7 55.4 55.2 55.2 55.0 55.0 55.0 53.9 53.5 53.0
100 59.0 58.7 58.3 58.1 58.1 58.1 57.4 57.4 57.6 56.5 56.1 55.3
95 64.2 61.8 61.2 61.2 61.2 60.9 60.7 60.7 59.4 58.7 57.2
90 67.3 65.1 64.7 64.7 64.5 64.2 64.0 62.5 61.6 60.1
85 69.3 69.3 68.2 67.8 67.8 67.8 65.8 64.9 63.7
80 72.8 72.6 71.9 71.9 71.9 69.5 68.4 67.2


Table 2.
Physical fitness indexes for female
Pulse body weight (kg)
36 41 45 50 54 59 64 68 73 77 82 86
175 31.2
170 31.9 31.9 62.1 32.1 32.1 32.1 32.1 32.1 32.3
165 32.3 32.6 33.0 33.0 33.2 33.2 33.2 33.2 33.2
160 33.4 33.7 33.9 34.1 34.3 34.3 34.3 34.3 34.3 34.3
155 34.5 34.8 35.2 35.4 35.4 35.4 35.4 35.4 35.4 35.4
150 35.6 36.1 36.3 36.3 36.7 36.7 36.7 36.7 36.7 36.7
145 37.2 37.4 38.1 38.1 38.1 38.1 38.1 38.3 38.3 38.9 38.9
140 38.7 39.4 39.4 39.4 39.6 39.6 39.6 39.6 39.6 39.6 39.6
135 39.6 39.8 40.0 40.3 40.3 40.9 40.9 41.1 41.1 41.4 41.6 41.6
130 40.5 41.1 41.8 42.0 42.2 42.9 42.9 43.1 43.3 43.3 43.6 43.6
125 41.4 43.6 43.8 44.0 44.0 44.4 44.7 44.9 44.9 45.3 45.3 45.3
120 42.5 45.3 45.8 46.0 46.0 46.4 46.9 47.1 47.1 47.3 47.5 47.5
115 44.4 47.7 48.0 48.0 48.0 48.0 49.3 49.3 49.3 49.3 49.3 49.3
110 48.0 50.2 51.5 51.7 51.7 51.7 51.9 52.4 52.4 52.8
105 51.7 53.7 53.7 53.9 54.1 54.6 55.4 55.7 55.7
100 55.2 56.8 57.0 57.6 58.3 58.3 59.4
95 58.1 60.7 61.2 61.6 62.3 62.3
90 62.7 64.7 65.6 67.5 67.5 68.6