Measuring Physical Fitness: Based on the Harvard Step Test 3/11

Integrated Science 2 Name: Period:

Background

The Harvard Step Test is designed to give an indication of the overall fitness of ones cardiovascular system.
This test measures your pulse recovery rate as a sign of your cardiovascular endurance. In this lab, you will
design an experiment and use class data to complete a formal, typed lab report.

Pre-lab

Class Data:
1. Complete your information for the class data table on the handout provided. You will be providing
your information for each of the independent variables listed below (a-g). Data will be compiled by
the teacher and will remain anonymous. Students will be listed on the data table in a random order.
2. After the initial class data table has been completed, your teacher will give each student a copy
(either in print version or posted on the class website). You are to complete this lab assignment
using only the data for the independent variables that pertain to your chosen experimental design
(explained below).

Experimental Design:
1. Each student will use the Fitness Score (calculated using the Harvard Step Test) as their Dependent
Variable [higher scores = more fit]
2. Choices for your Independent Variable are as follows:
(Note: # of trials will be determined by the final class data table)
a. Gender
b. Average hours of exercise per week
c. Average number of non-soda beverages with vitamin and/or energy supplements per week
d. Height (inches)
e. Resting pulse (beats per minute)
f. Number of times per week you eat fast food
g. Average number of hours of sleep per night
3. Complete the rest of the Experimental Design Outline for your experiment:

Title/Purpose:


Hypothesis:



Independent Variable:



Levels of I.V.
(2 or more)

Number of trials you will conduct for each I.V. level

Dependent Variable:



Constants:

Measuring Physical Fitness
2
Rough Draft Data Table
After completing your Experimental Design Outline, construct a rough draft data table that reflects
your design outline. Include a column for the mean.














Prepare for the Harvard Step Test
Practice locating your pulse on your wrist or neck using 2 fingers. Do not use your thumb.

Procedures and Data Collection
Materials
! A watch with second hand, a step that is 18-22 inches high, and a calculator
! On the day of the lab, students should wear clothes and shoes suitable for exercise and for being outside
Procedures for Harvard Step Test
a. Step up onto and down from a designated platform once every two seconds for five minutes
(your teacher will keep pace for the whole class).
b. After 5 minutes of stepping, measure your pulse for 30-second intervals starting at the beginning
of the 6
th
, 7
th
, and 8
th
minute.
c. If you are unable to keep up with the pace being kept by your teacher, stop the test and note the
number of minutes of the test you did complete. Wait one minute and begin to take your 30-
second pulse readings at the start of every minute thereafter for a total of 3 pulse readings (3
minutes).
d. Record your data under Personal Results, below.
e. Use the formula below to find your fitness score.
f. Submit your fitness score to the teacher so that it can be recorded on the class data table.
Personal Results
0 min: Start step test
5 min: Stop step test
6 min: Take PULSE 1 (# beats in 30 seconds):
7 min: Take PULSE 2: (# beats in 30 seconds):
8 min: Take PULSE 3: (# beats in 30 seconds):
Calculate the fitness score using the following formula:
!
Fitness Score =
200
2(Pulse 1 + Pulse 2 + Pulse 3)
x 100

Fitness Score = Your Fitness Rating =

Fitness Score Fitness rating
less than 55 Poor
55 - 64 Low average
65 - 79 High Average
80 - 89 Good
90 or more Excellent
Measuring Physical Fitness
3
Lab Report

1. Type a Formal Lab Report. Refer to the Formal Lab Report handout in the reference section of your
binder for detailed guidelines.

2. Your name and period should be at the top of the first page. Do not use a separate cover sheet.

3. The following are special instructions for this particular lab report:

A. Title

B. Introduction / Purpose
For this lab, the introduction/purpose should be a minimum of four paragraphs. Follow the
instructions below for each bullet from your Lab Report Format. Use the Bibliography Handout to
cite a minimum of two references.
! What background information and prior knowledge supports the experiment?
Paragraph 1: Use the Internet to conduct background research on the Harvard Step Test. Its out
thereyou have to SEARCH! (Keep track of your references for your bibliography!)
Paragraph 2: Conduct research that is specific to your particular research question/hypothesis.
What is already known about your topic and how it relates to physical fitness?
! Why are you conducting the experiment? How does the experiment relate to the real world?
Paragraph 3: Answer the above questions.
! What is the experiment designed to test?
Paragraph 4: Answer the above question.

C. Hypothesis
Refer to the Lab Report Format handout to format your hypothesis.

D. Experimental Design (Materials and Procedure)
Refer to the Lab Report Format handout to format your materials list, procedure, and design outline.

E. Data /Results
! Include both the class data table provided, and a final draft data table created for your specific
independent variables.
! Construct a graph to illustrate the data for your experiment. DO NOT GRAPH THE ENTIRE
CLASS-WIDE DATASET. Remember the rules of graphing (see reference section of binder).

F. Discussion
Refer to the Lab Report Format handout to write your Discussion Section.
! Write one paragraph per bullet listed in the Lab Report Format.
! There are no additional analysis questions for this lab.

G. Conclusion
Refer to the Lab Report Format handout to write your Conclusion.

H. Bibliography/Works Cited
Refer to the Bibliography handout to format your works cited list. You must cite a minimum of two
references.