ANAEROBIC CAPACITY: MARGARIA-KALAMEN STAIR CLIMB TEST · the third step to the ninth step to the nearest 0.01 second. The goal of the test is to run up the stairs as quickly as possible.

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THE MARGARIA-KALAMEN STAIR CLIMB TEST IS A CLASSIC TEST USED TO assess leg power and activation of the phosphagen energy system.

Equipment:• Flight of stairs with the following:3 A 20-foot (6-m) flat surface in front of the stairs. 3 Nine or more steps with the third, sixth, and ninth steps clearly

marked with tape. 3 Measure the vertical height between the third and the ninth steps, as

this value is used in the power calculation.• Tape measure• Stopwatch• Marking tape• Timing mats (optional). Timing mats allow for more accurate timing, as

the clock starts and stops upon foot impact. The figure below illustrates the setup for this test. Pre-test procedure: • After explaining the purpose of the stair-climb test, describe and

demonstrate the procedure. Allow the client to warm up and perform a few practice trials before administering the test.

• The client will sprint toward the stairs from a standing start 20 feet (6 m) from the base of the stairs.

• He or she will run up the flight of stairs, taking three steps at a time. Measure the performance from the time it takes the client to get from the third step to the ninth step to the nearest 0.01 second. The goal of the test is to run up the stairs as quickly as possible.

• If timing mats are being used, one should be placed at the third step and the other on the ninth step.

Test protocol and administration:• Record the client’s weight in kilograms. • The client stands 20 feet (6 m) away from the base of the stairs and

starts the test whenever he or she is ready. • Start the stopwatch when the client’s foot hits the third step and stop it

when the client lands on the ninth step. 3 To increase the accuracy of the test, it is recommended that a

second person also time the client’s performance. Use the average of the two times as the “actual” time for each attempt.

• Allow three trials, with two to three minutes recovery between attempts. • The fastest time achieved is recorded on a testing form. • The following formula is used to assess power.• Use the table on the next page to rank the client’s performance.

Margaria-Kalamen stair climb test

6 meters

Switch mat

3rd step

6th step

9th stepSwitch mat

Clock 0.01 s

A

1.05 meters vertical

distance (D)

ANAEROBIC CAPACITY: MARGARIA-KALAMEN STAIR CLIMB TEST

©2014 AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EXERCISE@

Calculating Power Power = [(Body weight x 9.807) x Height]/ Time

Weight in kg; Height = vertical distance between step 3 and step 9 in meters; Time = seconds

Example: John weighs 180 lb and scored a best attempt of 0.8 sec-onds when climbing six steps with a combined height of 49.5 inches.180 lb = 81.8 kg; step height = 49.5 inches x 0.0254 = 1.26 mPower = [(81.8 x 9.807) x 1.26]/0.8Power = 1,262 watts

MARGARIA-KALAMEN STAIR SPRINT GUIDELINES (WATTS) Age

Men’s Classification 15–20 20–30 30–40 40–50 50+

Excellent >2,197 >2,059 >1,648 >1,226 >961

Good 1,844–2,197 1,726–2,059 1,383–1,648 1,040–1,226 814–961

Average 1,471–1,824 1,373–1,716 1,098–1,373 834–1,030 647–804

Fair 1,108–1,461 1,040–1,363 834–1,088 637–824 490–637

Poor <1,108 <1,040 <834 <637 <490

Women’s Classification 15–20 20–30 30–40 40–50 50+

Excellent >1,785 >1,648 >1,226 >961 >736

Good 1,491–1,785 1,383–1,648 1,040–1,226 814–961 608–736

Average 1,187–1,481 1,098–1,373 834–1,030 647–804 481–598

Fair 902–1,177 834–1,089 637–824 490–637 373–471

Poor <902 <834 <637 <490 <373

Data from: Hoffman, J. (2006). Norms for Fitness, Performance, and Health. Champaign, Ill.: Human Kinetics. Adapted from Fox, E., Bowers, R., & Foss, M. (1993). The Physiological Basis for Exercise and Sport (5th ed.). Dubuque, Iowa: Wm C. Brown, 676, with permission of The McGraw-Hill Companies; based on data from Kalamen, J. (1968). Measurement of Maximum Muscular Power in Man, Doctoral Dissertation, The Ohio State University, and Margaria, R., Aghemo, I., & Rovelli, E. (1966). Measurement of muscular power (anaerobic) in man. Journal of Applied Physiology, 21, 1662–1664.

MARGARIA-KALAMEN STAIR CLIMB TEST CONTINUED

Fox, E., Bowers, R., & Foss, M. (1993). The Physiological Basis for Exercise and Sport (5th ed.). Dubuque, Iowa: Wm C. Brown.

Hoffman, J. (2006). Norms for Fitness, Performance, and Health. Champaign, Ill.: Human Kinetics.

Kalamen, J. (1968). Measurement of Maximum Muscular Power in Man, Doctoral Dissertation, The Ohio State University.

Margaria, R., Aghemo, I ., & Rovelli, E. (1966). Measurement of muscular power (anaerobic) in man. Journal of Applied Physiology, 21, 1662–1664.