The regular monitoring of athletes` training status has multiple benefits, including training load optimization, injury risk reduction and fitness enhancement/maintenance (1). Hear rate measures collected from submaximal tests are among the most useful markers for monitoring purposes (1). Although numerous submaximal tests have been proposed previously, they usually need special equipment (e.g., treadmill, ergometer) (2), space (at least 20 meters) (3) or skills (e.g., jump rope) (4) which are not always applicable, particularly in young academy clubs encountered with a limited budget. Therefore, to overcome these limitations, developing a submaximal test which does not require special equipment and can be conducted with minimal space is warranted. In this case, step tests are good examples as they require only a bench of a specified height. Stationary runs can be also performed with minimal space and equipment and do not require advanced skills. However, the day-to-day variations in the heart rate responses to such submaximal stationary exercises have not been examined yet. Aim. The aim of the present study was to compare day-to-day variations in the heart rate responses to a step test and a stationary run in young soccer players.
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