What height is the box used for females in the Queen's College Step Test?

• A. 12 inches
• B. 14 inches
• C. 16 inches
• D. 18 inches

Answer: (C)

The test standardizes workload by using a fixed box height to ensure every participant steps against the same external demand. For this protocol, the height used for females is 16 inches. This height, combined with the stepping cadence and duration, provides a moderate and consistent workload that elicits a reliable heart-rate response without being overly easy or overly strenuous. The subsequent recovery heart rate is then used to estimate aerobic capacity, so keeping the workload at 16 inches helps ensure the result reflects true fitness rather than variations in difficulty. If the height were much lower, the test could underestimate effort and overestimate fitness; if it were much higher, it could be unsafe or produce an exaggerated effort, compromising accuracy.