What is the post-exercise heart rate range recommended for males in the Queen's College Step Test?

• A. 90-110 bpm
• B. 120-144 bpm
• C. 128-156 bpm
• D. 100-120 bpm

Answer: (B)

After the Queens College Step Test, the heart rate measured during the recovery phase is used to estimate aerobic fitness. For men, the recommended post-exercise heart rate falls between 120 and 144 beats per minute. This range reflects a sufficient cardiovascular challenge during the test while keeping recovery data within a zone where the estimation of VO2max is most reliable. If the post-exercise rate is much lower, the test may not have stressed the system enough; if it’s much higher, the recovery data may be less consistent or the exertion may have been excessive. For context, the corresponding range for women is typically 128–156 bpm.