Chester Treadmill Test (CTT)
The Chester Treadmill Walk Fitness Test is a progressive treadmill test of aerobic capacity, developed by Professor Kevin Sykes from the University of Chester, specifically designed for use by the UK Fire Service as an alternative to the 20m Shuttle Run and Chester Step Test. The Chester Treadmill Police Walk Test (CTPWT) is an adaptation of this test for the Police Service.
equipment: treadmill with ability to change gradient, stopwatch, heart rate monitor, RPE chart.
pre-test: Explain the test procedures to the subject. Perform screening of health risks and obtain informed consent. Prepare forms and record basic information such as age, height, body weight, gender, test conditions. Calibrate the treadmill speed and gradient. See more details of pre-test procedures.
Treadmill testingprocedure: The treadmill set at 6.2 km/hr (3.9 mph) for all of the test. The gradient starts at 0% for the first two minutes, then increases by 3% every two minutes unless the participant reaches 80% of their maximum heart rate or an RPE of 14. The test ends after 12 minutes, at which the gradient is returned to 0% and the speed reduced to enable the subject to cool down.
| level | time (minutes) | gradient (%) | equiv. VO2 (ml/O2/min) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0-2 | 0 | 14 |
| 2 | 2-4 | 3 | 19 |
| 3 | 4-6 | 6 | 25 |
| 4 | 6-8 | 9 | 31 |
| 5 | 8-10 | 12 | 36 |
| 6 | 10-12 | 15 | 42 |
scoring: Fire & Rescue personnel must complete the 12 minutes to achieve the fitness standard.
considerations: this test could be a maximal test for some individuals, and therefore care should be taken to ensure the test is stopped if the subject is unable to keep up with the workrate and becomes overly distressed.
references
- Sykes K. Fitness for Fire and Rescue. Standards, Protocols and Policy. In: Stevenson R, Wilsher P, eds. United Kingdom: Firefit Steering Group, 2009.
The Test in Action
- The Chester Treadmill Walk Fitness Test is specifically designed for use by the UK Fire Service.
Similar Tests
- Chester Treadmill Police Walk Test — walking at 6km/hr on a treadmill, increasing gradient by 3% every 2 minutes.
- Chester Treadmill Police Run Test — run at 10.4 km/hr on a treadmill, increasing the gradient every 2 minutes.
- Astrand Treadmill Test — running at 5mph with a 2.5% increase in gradient every two minutes, until exhaustion.
Related Pages
- Measuring/calibrating treadmill gradient
- Fitness testing for UK Fire Service
- Other fitness tests conducted on treadmills
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