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Fitness Test

The Modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test (mCAFT) is a submaximal fitness test used to estimate aerobic capacity. Participants who were deemed eligible for the mCAFT using the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) completed the mCAFT once during the study. The mCAFT protocol required participants to complete one or more stages of three minutes of stepping until they reached their predetermined ceiling heart rate for their age. During each three minute stage the participant stepped up and down on two steps at a specific rate. At the end of the test the heart rate was measured for one minute.

Click here for data dictionaries and formats for the Fitness Test files. Datasets can be obtained by submitting a request.

Summary Available Data
  • Physical fitness test
  • Completed once (M0 for groups 1 & 3, M6 for groups 2 & 4)
  • ~525 participants have a complete fitness test
  • Estimated maximum volume of oxygen (VO2 Max)
  • Predicted 85% max heart rate, and an indicator of whether this heart rate was reached by the participant
  • Number of stages and heart rate at each stage
  • Pre and post blood pressure
  • Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) data