Q.A student becomes exhausted and stops the Harvard Step Test after 3 minutes 30 seconds. His pulse count from 1 to 1.5 minutes after exercise is 68 beats. Compute his Physical Fitness Index and state the fitness category. Why must 210 seconds — and not 300 seconds — be used in the formula?

To compute the Physical Fitness Index (PFI) and determine the fitness category, we use the prescribed Harvard Step Test formula and interpretation bands.

First, convert the duration of exercise to seconds:

Duration of exercise = 3 minutes 30 seconds

Duration of exercise = (3 × 60) + 30 seconds

Duration of exercise = 180 + 30 seconds

Duration of exercise = 210 seconds

The given pulse count from 1 to 1.5 minutes after exercise is 68 beats.

Substitute the values into the formula:

PFI = (210 × 100)/(5.5 × 68)

PFI = 21000/374

PFI ≈ 56.15

Based on the CBSE-PRESCRIBED interpretation bands:

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

Since the calculated PFI is approximately 56.15, it falls into the Average fitness category. …

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 period of stepping exercise. A higher Physical Fitness Index (PFI) indicates better cardiovascular endurance and recovery.

The calculation of the Physical Fitness Index (PFI) uses a specific formula that considers the duration of the exercise and the pulse rate taken during a specific recovery period.

Here, the terms are defined as follows:

• Duration of the exercise in seconds: This is the total time, in seconds, the individual performed the stepping exercise. If the subject completes the full 5 minutes, this value is 300 seconds. If they stop due to exhaustion before 5 minutes, the actual time they exercised is used.
• Pulse count of 1 to 1.5 min after exercise: This is the raw number of heartbeats counted for a 30-second period, specifically taken between 1 minute and 1 minute 30 seconds after the exercise has stopped. It is not converted to a per-minute rate.

Now, let's compute the Physical Fitness Index for the student:

1. Identify the given values:

   • Duration of exercise = 3 minutes 30 seconds
   • Pulse count (1 to 1.5 min after exercise) = 68 beats

2. Convert the duration to seconds:

   • Duration in seconds = (3 minutes × 60 seconds/minute) + 30 seconds
   • Duration in seconds = 180 seconds + 30 seconds
   • Duration in seconds = 210 seconds

3. Substitute the values into the PFI formula:

   • PFI = (210 × 100)/(5.5 × 68)
   • PFI = 21000/374
   • PFI ≈ 56.1497

4. Round the PFI to two decimal places:

   • PFI = 56.15

5. Determine the fitness category using the prescribed bands:

   • Up to 49 = Poor
   • 50 to 80 = Average
   • 81 and above = Good
   • Since the calculated PFI is 56.15, it falls into the Average category. …