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Topic 1: Maximal Oxygen Consumption (VO2max) Testing

Laboratory Manual Section 02

HPHE 6720 Dr. Cheatham

Goals for this Topic


Understand the physiological basis for VO2max Understand the use of indirect calorimetry to measure VO2 Become familiar with the protocols, equipment, testing procedures to measure VO2max Become familiar with using the two different metabolic measurement systems Be able to collect, interpret, and analyze VO2max data

Physiological Basis

VO2 = CO (CaO2 CvO2)

VO2 = VA (FIO2 FEO2)

Metabolic Computations VO2

Metabolic Computations VO2

Metabolic Computations VCO2

Metabolic Computations RQ

How is VO2max Expressed?


Absolute VO2
The actual amount of oxygen your body utilizes Usually in LO2/min or mLO2/min

Relative VO2
The amount of oxygen your body used per kilogram of bodyweight mLO2/kg/min Allows comparison between people of different sizes.

Absolute vs Relative VO2

Body Mass = 230 lbs (104.5 kg) VO2max = 5 LO2/min VO2max = 47.8 mLO2/kg/min

Body Mass = 150 lbs (68.2 kg) VO2max = 4 LO2/min VO2max = 58.7 mLO2/kg/min

Protocols to Assess VO2max


Mode of testing should be appropriate to the individual being tested. For athletes, should be sport specific. Treadmill vs. Cycle Ergometer vs. Other

Incremental Stages
Continuous vs. Discontinuous

Protocols to Assess VO2max

Protocols to Assess VO2max


General Protocol Guidelines:
A beginning stage that is at a low intensity in order to allow for an adequate warm-up. A consistent and gradual increase in exercise intensity. An incremental increase in exercise intensity as to allow for the test to finish in an appropriate amount of time (8-15 minutes). A protocol that is appropriate to the subject. I.e. walking vs. running, appropriate treadmill speed (if treadmill is used).

Protocols to Assess VO2max


Treadmill Protocols
Established Protocols
Bruce, Modified Bruce Balke, Naughton, Astrand (Not the Cycle Test)

Protocols to Assess VO2max

Protocols to Assess VO2max


A generalized treadmill protocol:
Example Treadmill Protocol
2 minute walking stage (3.0 mph, 0% grade) 2 minute running stage (appropriate running speed, 0% grade) 1 minute stages keeping running speed constant and increasing grade 2.5 % to 3%) Note: If possible, it is advantageous to have the subject get on the treadmill before the actual test and to increase the treadmill speed until a comfortable running speed is achieved.

Protocols to Assess VO2max


Cycle Ergometer Protocols

Example Cycle Ergometer Protocol


2 minutes at 40 Watts (female) or 60 Watts (male) 1 minute stages in which the Watts are increased 20 Watts every minute

Equipment to Measure VO2max


Mode of Testing
Treadmill Cycle Ergometer
Mechanically braked cycle (Monark) Magnetically/Electronically Braked

Equipment to Measure VO2max


Metabolic Measurement Cart
Allows for the measurement of Ventilation, O2 and CO2 of expired air Does calculations for you

Equipment to Measure VO2max


Heart Rate Measurement
Telemetry (Polar HR Monitor) ECG (CM5)

Equipment to Measure VO2max


Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE)
Borg 6-20 Scale Borg 0-10 Scale Use standardized directions
During the exercise test we want you to pay close attention to how hard you feel the exercise work rate is. This feeling should reflect your total amount of exertion and fatigue, combining all sensations and feelings of physical stress, effort, and fatigue. Dont concern yourself with any one factor such as leg pain, shortness of breath, or exercise intensity, but try to concentrate on your total, inner feeling of exertion. Try not to underestimate or overestimate your feeling of exertion; be as accurate as you can.

Equipment to Measure VO2max

Performing the Test


Greet the patient / client
Explain the test, equipment, etc. Obtain informed consent

Obtain baseline measurements


Record environmental conditions Record age, height, weight Calculate predicted Max HR, 85% Max HR Record resting HR and BP

Calibrate Equipment Instruct patient / client on how to perform the test


Treadmill use Borg Scale

Performing the Test


Instrument subject
ECG or Polar HR Mouthpiece / Noseclips

Begin test Record appropriate measurements during test


HR usually every 30 sec RPE, BP at end of each stage Use appropriate data recording sheet

Terminate test when appropriate Allow subject to actively cool-down


Monitor HR and BP

Criteria for Test Termination

Achieving True Maximal Measurement


Objective criteria are established to determine whether a true maximal measurement was achieved.
Plateau in oxygen consumption
Increase less than 150 mLO2/min with increasing exercise intensity

Respiratory Exchange Ratio (RER)


VCO2/VO2 RER > 1.1 or 1.15

Heart Rate
Within 10 beats of age-predicted max HR

RPE Scale
RPE > 17

Achieving True Maximal Measurement

Achieving True Maximal Measurement

Achieving True Maximal Measurement

VO2max Statistics

Olympic Athletes

VO2max Statistics

Age

VO2max Norms

VO2max Norms

VO2max Class Project


Research Question:
Is there a statistically significant difference between VO2max values obtained from a treadmill test versus a cycle ergometry test?

Methods:
At least six students will perform a VO2max test on a treadmill and a cycle ergometer We will then perform some statistical analyses to answer the research question.

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