The Validity of the YMCA 3-Minute Step Test for Estimating Maximal Oxygen Uptake in Healthy Korean and Vietnamese Adults

Background Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is a fundamental component of physical fitness. While maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) is the gold standard for quantifying CRF, standard maximal exercise tests using direct measurements VO2max are dependent on the availability of laboratory equipment, and thereby expensive and time consuming. Recently, an equation was formulated to indirectly estimate VO2max using the YMCA 3-minute step test. Methods The study included 15 Korean (KR) and 15 Vietnamese (VN) healthy adults aged 19-35 years. All subjects completed a YMCA 3-minute step test (YMCA 3MST) and a maximal exercise treadmill test to predict VO2max and VO2max measures, respectively. Results There was a significant relationship between VO2max predicted from the YMCA 3MST and actual VO2max measurements from the treadmill test (r = 0.80, p < 0.0001; KR group: r = 0.81, p < 0.0001; VN group: r = 0.93, p < 0.0001). Bland-Altman analysis revealed statistical agreement between tests, although there was a systematic overestimation of 3.36 mL/kg/min for the KR group. Conclusion The equation for predicting VO2max from the YMCA 3MST was validated among the study subjects. However, future research should explore the validity and reliability of the YMCA 3MST equation for estimating VO2max in other populations.