Comparative research on cardiac fu nction index assessment between step test and cycle ergometer test

Objective:To discuss whether step test can accurately reflect cardiac function and provide certain theoretical basis for the development of simple and large-scale cardiac function test methods. Methods: A total of 64 subjects ( 35 male and 29 female aged 21±1years) underwent step test and cycle ergometer test. Cycle ergometer test index was obtained from a half of heart rate (HR) in 1min,2min, 3min after 3min exercise on cycle ergometer and took the three HR into the Harvard step test index calculation formula. Cycle ergometer load intensity was determined by individual different gender, age, height,weight and fitness condition. The cardiac function assessment grade in step test and cycle ergometer test was determined by their respective cardiac function index. Results: There was no significant difference in cardiac indexes between step test and cycle ergometer test ( male 64.61±12.76 vs 68.81±14.91;female 60.13±10.55 vs 58.66±9.45, respectively,P0.05) .There was a remarkable difference in cardiac function assessment grade between step test and cycle ergometer test ( male 13 differences in total 35 grades,grade coincidence rate 62.86% ;female 21differences in total 29 grades,grade coincidence rate 27.59%) for the same subjects, female especially. Meanwhile,the excellent rate of the cardiac function assessment grade in cycle ergometer test ( male 37.14%,female 31.03%) was higher than in step test ( male 28.57%, female 20.69%) . Conclusion: These findings suggest that cycle ergometer test reflecting individual cardiac function is more reasonable and accurate compared with step test.