Which of the following tests uses recovery heart rate rather than exercising heart rate to evaluate cardiorespiratory fitness levels?

The YMCA 3-minute step test is specifically designed to assess cardiorespiratory fitness by measuring how quickly the heart rate returns to normal after a period of exercise. In this test, an individual steps up and down on a platform at a specific pace for three minutes, and then their recovery heart rate is taken immediately after the exercise. The rationale behind this approach is that a quicker return to a lower heart rate indicates better cardiovascular fitness.

In contrast, tests like the 1-Mile Run Test, Rockport Walk Test, and Cooper 12-Minute Run Test measure exercising heart rates or performance during the exercise itself to evaluate fitness levels. These tests focus on how well a person can perform an activity rather than how efficiently their body recovers post-exercise. Thus, the YMCA 3-minute step test uniquely highlights recovery heart rate as a key indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness.