Modified harvard step test for exercise tolerance study in healthy children

Exercise tolerance is the main parameter characterizing the state of cardiovascular system. Considering morphofunctional changes and increases in the mental and physical activity of the growing organism, characterization of the functional state of cardiovascular system is relevant. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate exercise tolerance in healthy children of different age groups by modified Harvard step test. Materials and Methods: The study comprised 110 healthy children aged 6 to 16 years. Average age was 10.6±3.6 years. Modified Harvard step test was used for evaluation of exercise tolerance. Results: All subjects performed modified Harvard step test according to the entire protocol. Heart rate increased by 15-20% in 79 children (71.8%) where boys constituted a majority (57%). In the rest of children (28.2%), heart rate decreased by 5-10% after physical exercise compared with the initial values. The values of modified Harvard step test index did not significantly differ between groups of healthy girls and boys: 74.3 (IQR: 63.2:85.5) and 70.3 (IQR: 62.2:82.5), respectively, p=0.94. Conclusion. Independently on gender, all study children completed the test suggesting that this test may be used for exercise tolerance study in children of different age groups regardless of gender.