Adapted Chester Step Test Can Have Maximal Response Characteristics for the Assessment of Exercise Capacity in Young Women

Chester step test (CST) estimates the exercise capacity through a submaximal response, which can limit its application in the prescription of exercise. This study aimed to assess whether an adaptation of the CST (with a progressive profile) can have maximal response characteristics in young women and compare it to the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT). Another aim was to determine its within-day test–retest reliability. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 25 women (20.3 ± 1.5 years) who performed the field tests twice on two different days (48 h apart). The maximal effort attainment was assessed by the heart rate (HR), perception of exertion (Borg scale), and blood lactate concentration. For the performance variables, Pearson’s correlation and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC(2,1)) were used. In the best test, mean values of maximal response were observed in the adapted CST (94.0 ± 6.5% of age-predicted HR(max), 11.3 ± 4.5 mmol/dl of blood lactate, and 18.4 ± 1.5 of Borg rating). The correlations between the adapted CST and the ISWT were weak to moderate (0.38 ≤ r ≤ 0.55; p < 0.05). Fair to good reliability was found for the adapted CST (ICC(2,1) = 0.48–0.61). The adapted CST showed mean values of maximal response, weak to moderate association with the ISWT, and low within-day test–retest reliability in young women.