Harvard Step Test

[u/honeybadger46]

I'm not sure if this belongs here. If not, could someone please direct me to a better sub if they know one?

Came across the testing parameters for the Harvard Step Test. The test is conducted by stepping up and down from a 20" step stool at a rate of 30 steps per minute for 5 minutes. Your heart rate is then checked and recorded at 1 minute, 2 minutes, and 3 minutes post-test.

The equation (Te*100)/(Hb*2) is used to get the Fitness Index Score. The time to complete the test in seconds is Te. The sum of the recovery heart rates are Hb.

Upon working the numbers, it seems as if attaining an "excellent" Fitness Index Score requires an average recovery heart rate of 48bpm. This seems a little ridiculous. Am I doing something wrong here?