Q.A boy completes the full 5 minutes of the Harvard Step Test. His pulse count from 1 to 1.5 minutes after exercise is 60 beats. His Physical Fitness Index and category are approximately:

The question asks to calculate the Physical Fitness Index (PFI) using the Harvard Step Test formula and determine the corresponding fitness category. This is a numerical MCQ.

The given values are:

• Duration of exercise = 5 minutes
• Pulse count from 1 to 1.5 minutes after exercise = 60 beats

First, convert the duration of exercise to seconds:

Duration in seconds = 5 minutes × 60 seconds/minute = 300 seconds.

Now, substitute these values into the PFI formula:

PFI = (300 × 100)/(5.5 × 60)

PFI = 30000/330

PFI = 3000/33

PFI = 1000/11

PFI ≈ 90.909

Rounding to the nearest whole number, the PFI is approximately 91.

Next, determine the fitness category using the prescribed interpretation bands:

• Up to 49 = Poor
• 50 to 80 = Average
• 81 and above = Good

Since the calculated PFI is approximately 91, which is 81 or above, the fitness category is Good.

Therefore, the Physical Fitness Index is approximately 91, and the category is Good. This matches option (c).

Let's examine why the other options are incorrect: …

The Harvard Step Test is a widely used cardiovascular fitness test designed to assess an individual's aerobic fitness and ability to recover after strenuous exercise. It measures the efficiency of the cardiovascular system by observing how quickly the heart rate returns to normal after a standardized exercise. A higher Physical Fitness Index (PFI) indicates better cardiovascular endurance and recovery.

The test involves stepping up and down a bench at a specific rate for a set duration. The recovery heart rate is then measured at specific intervals. The prescribed formula for calculating the PFI uses the duration of the exercise and a single 30-second pulse count taken between 1 and 1.5 minutes after the exercise.

Here's what each term means:

• Duration of the exercise in seconds: This is the total time the individual performed the stepping exercise. For a full 5-minute test, this is 5 × 60 = 300 seconds. If the subject stops early, the actual duration in seconds is used.
• Pulse count of 1 to 1.5 min after exercise: This is the raw number of heartbeats counted for 30 seconds, starting exactly 1 minute after the exercise stops and ending at 1.5 minutes (90 seconds) after the exercise stops. It is crucial not to convert this to a per-minute rate; the formula uses the raw 30-second count.

Let's calculate the Physical Fitness Index (PFI) using the given data:

1. Identify the given values:

   • Duration of exercise = 5 full minutes.
   • Pulse count from 1 to 1.5 minutes after exercise = 60 beats.

2. Convert duration to seconds:

   • Since the boy completed the full 5 minutes, the duration is 5 minutes × 60 seconds/minute = 300 seconds.

3. Substitute the values into the PFI formula:

   PFI = (300 × 100)/(5.5 × 60)

4. Perform the calculation:

   PFI = 30000/330

   PFI = 3000/33

   PFI ≈ 90.909

5. Determine the fitness category using the prescribed interpretation bands:

   • Up to 49 = Poor …