Association of Step Count with Cardiorespiratory Fitness: Results from the Virtual 2-Minute Step Test.
Krisann K Oursler, Brandon C Briggs, Alicia J Lozano and 3 others
PMID 39822200WHAT IT FOUND
Step count during a 2-minute test explained 61.8% of the variance in cardiorespiratory fitness in older men with HIV.
The test works well over video, but only for men 60 and older. Do not use it to estimate fitness in women or younger men.
Key findings
01Step count on the 2-minute step test was significantly associated with peak oxygen utilization, with a correlation coefficient of 0.47.
02The association between step count and fitness was strong in men 60 and older but disappeared in men under 60.
03A prediction equation using step count, age, and BMI explained 61.8% of the variance in peak oxygen utilization.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study included only men, so the findings do not apply to women. The test failed to predict fitness in men under 60, limiting its usefulness for that age group. The test was performed in a supervised clinical setting via video, so it is unclear if the same results would be obtained if the patient performed it at home without supervision. The prediction equation only explains about 60% of the variance in fitness, meaning it is not highly precise for an individual patient.
Declared interests
One author has received consulting fees or research support from pharmaceutical companies including Lilly, Gilead, ViiV, Merck, and Bayer. The other authors declared no conflicts.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume the 2-minute step test is a valid proxy for cardiorespiratory fitness in all older adults. The correlation between step count and fitness was zero in men under 60, and the study included no women.