Changes in vital signs and functional performance during the 2-minute step test in healthy Colombian adults

The 2-Minute Step Test is a submaximal assessment to evaluate functional performance and cardiovascular response in settings with limited space and resources. Although its validity has been documented in Colombia, evidence remains limited on the physiological changes it elicits and their connection to functional performance. The primary objective of this study was to quantify pre-post changes in vital signs and perceived exertion during the 2-Minute Step in healthy adults. The secondary objectives were to compare these changes between sexes and to assess the correlation between heart rate and step count as an indicator of functional performance.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in southwestern Colombia with 101 healthy adults. Heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and perceived exertion were measured before and after the 2-Minute Step. Wilcoxon tests assessed pre-post differences, and Spearman's rho tested correlations between heart rate and step count. Analyses were stratified by sex for exploratory purposes, as the study was not powered to detect between-sex differences (p < 0.05).

Significant increases were observed in all physiological parameters after the test (p < 0.001). Median heart rate increased by approximately 50 beats per minute, systolic blood pressure by 20 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure by 10 mmHg, and respiratory rate by 7.5 breaths per minute, while oxygen saturation decreased slightly by about 1 %. Perceived exertion increased by six points on the Borg scale. A positive correlation was found between heart rate and step count, moderate in women (r = 0.55; p < 0.001) and in men (r = 0.42; p = 0.023).

The 2-Minute Step produced significant increases in heart rate (p < 0.001), blood pressure (p < 0.001), respiratory rate (p < 0.001), and perceived exertion (p < 0.001), accompanied by a slight decrease in oxygen saturation (p < 0.001). A positive correlation was observed between heart rate and step count, stronger in women (r = 0.55; p < 0.001) than in men (r = 0.42; p = 0.023).