Hypothesis: Even though the 1.5 mile run test will not produce the highest average VO2 max, the results of the 1.5 mile run will produce the most accurate VO2 max results as the test puts the most physiological demand on the body compared to the Queens College/McArdle Step Test and the Rockport One Mile Walk Test.
Discussion:
The Queens College/McArdle Step Test, the Rockport One Mile Walk Test, and the 1.5 Mile Run Test are three different field tests that were performed in this lab that were used to measure and predict an individual’s aerobic capacity. The measurement of aerobic capacity, or VO2 max, is a valid way to assess an individual’s cardiorespiratory fitness level. VO2 max refers to the maximal amount of oxygen an individual utilizes during intensive exercise. A higher VO2 max demonstrates a more efficient cardiorespiratory system as an individual with a higher VO2 max can sustain a higher intensity for a longer
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amount of time. There are various factors that affect maximal oxygen consumption. These factors include gender, body size and composition, age, state of training, heredity, and mode of activity. For the McArdle Step Test, the average VO2 max for the class was 45.92 ml/kg/min. Females had an average VO2 of 43.27 ml/kg/min while males had an average VO2 max of 51.22 ml/kg/min. For the Rockport One Mile Walk Test, the class had an average VO2 max of 47.92 ml/kg/min. Females had an average VO2 max of 46.70 ml/kg/min while males had an average VO2 max of 50.37 ml/kg/min. Lastly, for the 1.5 Mile Run Test, the class had an average VO2 max of 45.24 ml/kg/min. Females had an average VO2 max of 42.04 ml/kg/min while males had an average VO2 max of 51.63 ml/kg/min. In all three of the field tests, men had an overall higher VO2 max compared to women. Based on the data, the 1.5 mile run test was the most accurate regarding VO2 max. Even though the 1.5 mile run was not the highest average VO2 max, it was the most accurate as the 1.5 mile run put the most physiological demand on the body. As the intensity of the field test increases, the test will produce more accurate results regarding VO2 max because the individual is pushing his or her body to the limit and placing more physiological demand on the body. There is a relationship between VO2 max and heart rate. As the intensity increases, the body is placed under higher physiological demands which will produce a more accurate VO2 max. Even though the Rockport 1-mile Walk Test produced the highest average VO2 max, the walk test did not elicit as big of an increase in heart rate compared to the other two field tests. Theoretically, all three of these field tests should have produced the same estimate of aerobic capacity. However, based on the data, these three field tests did not produce the same estimate of aerobic capacity. Data showed that the class average of VO2 max for the McArdle step test was 45.92 ml/kg/min. For the Rockport 1-mile walk, the class average of VO2 max was 47.92 ml/kg/min. Lastly, for the 1.5 mile run, the class average of VO2 max was 45.24 ml/kg/min. Different field tests can produce different results because the more intense a field test is, the more accurate the test will be in predicting VO2 max. During a high intensity test, the individual is pushing his or her body to the limit and placing more physiological demands on the body. The 1.5 mile run test had a higher intensity compared to the other two field tests, therefore the 1.5 mile run test was a better indicator of an individual’s true VO2 max. Different field tests might produce different results due to various other factors including human errors, maximal effort, motivation factors, and limitations. If an individual does not put forth maximal effort in one of the field tests, the results may vary and not be as accurate. For example, if an individual did not put forth his or her best effort in the 1.5 mile run, the results may not have been as accurate compared to if the individual put forth his or her best effort. The Queens College/McArdle Step Test could have produced different results if the test was misconducted or there was human error following the step cadence. For example, in class, when the females were performing the step test, one of the bleachers collapsed during the the test and some of the girls had to quick switch locations and start following the cadence. This malfunction could have impacted the results of the test. In addition, individuals who were shorter were already at a disadvantage compared to individuals who were taller when it came to stepping up and down on a standardized step height of 16.25 inches. Lastly, the Rockport 1-mile walk could have produced different results due to low heart rate responses. For example, since the lab class is considered to be a fit population, the 1-mile walk did not produce as large as an increase in heart rate compared to the other field tests. In addition, some individuals may not have put maximal effort into the walk. During any field test, there are various advantages and disadvantages that come with the tests. In addition, there is room for error in all three field tests. For example, if an individual does not properly count his or her pulse, their heart rate could have been miscalculated which then affects the VO2 max calculation. One advantage of the Queens College/McArdle Step Test is that the step test did not require a skilled practitioner. Anyone is able to administer the step test as it was a simple test and required minimal equipment. In addition, the cadence allowed equal effort for all of the subjects performing the step test. Secondly, the step test is a standardized, time-efficient test. The test requires the subject to step up and down on a standardized height (16.25 inches) for three minutes. In addition, the test allows a large amount of subjects to participate in the test at the same time. On the other hand, one disadvantage of the step test is that the test may be tougher on an older population. If the subject has balance, walking, or orthopedic issues, the step test is not the best test to measure his or her aerobic fitness and could put the subject at a disadvantage. Secondly, the test requires all of the subjects to step up and down on a standardized step height of 16.25 inches; therefore, if the subject is at a height disadvantage, the step test may be more difficult for a person who is shorter compared to a person who is taller. In addition, it may be difficult for the subjects to stay in sync with the step cadence. The Rockport 1-mile walk had various advantages and disadvantages as well. One advantage of the walk was that there was minimal equipment required as the 1-mile walk took place in an indoor track. In addition, a large amount of people could participate in the 1-mile walk at the same time which may have provided encouragement and motivation throughout the test. Secondly, compared to running, the walk test was less intensive therefore it provided individuals who may be unused to physical activity the chance to calculate their VO2 max. The 1-mile walk did not put heavy orthopedic strain on individuals. In addition, the 1-mile walk test was self-paced. Contrary, one disadvantage of the Rockport 1-mile walk test was that the VO2 max could have been an inflated value if the individual was aerobically fit. Since walking does not produce as high as a heart rate compared to the other field tests, the results of the 1-mile walk may not have been as accurate for some individuals. Secondly, another disadvantage of the test is that the accuracy of this test was based off of the subject’s ability to maintain their fastest possible walking pace throughout the entire test. Therefore, if a subject did not put their maximal effort in the test, their VO2 max is not be as accurate as it should be. Lastly, there were various advantages and disadvantages of the 1.5 mile run test. One advantage of the 1.5 mile run was that the test was easy to conduct and required minimal equipment as the test took place in an indoor track. A second advantage is that the test could be performed in large groups which may have provided motivation and encouragement throughout the test. In addition, before the 1.5 mile run, all of the subjects were told to complete the test as fast as possible as the test should be a maximal effort. If an individual is aerobically trained, they may have a greater advantage over an individual who is anaerobically trained as they are able to sustain a high intensity level for a longer amount of time. However, maximal effort can also be a disadvantage to some individuals. For example, some individuals could have started the 1.5 mile run with a maximal effort and slowly declines throughout the test as they were not able to maintain a steady pace. Secondly, if a subject did not complete the test to his or her greatest ability, the results of the test would not be as accurate. In addition, if an individual has orthopedic, cardiovascular, or some type of health issue, the individual would be at a disadvantage for the test. Conclusion: In conclusion, VO2 max is the most accurate measure of assessing cardiorespiratory fitness.
Overall, the data collected from this lab supported the hypothesis that even though the 1.5 mile run test will not produce the highest average VO2 max, the results of the 1.5 mile run will produce the most accurate VO2 max results as the test puts more physiological demand on the body compared to the Queens College/McArdle Step Test and the Rockport One Mile Walk Test. Even though theoretically all three of the field tests should have produced the same estimate of aerobic capacity, the three tests produced different results due to various reasons. Since the 1.5 mile run placed the most physiological demands on the body, this test was a better indicator of individual VO2 max. Overall, all three of the field tests proved that males had a higher average VO2 max compared to women. In addition, individuals who are aerobically trained tend to perform better considering these individuals are able to sustain a higher intensity level for a longer amount of
time.
Submaximal and maximal exercise testing are two analytic methods that can be used to examine the cardiovascular, and cardiorespiratory fitness/health levels of the individual being examined. Submaximal testing is usually preferred over maximal mainly because the submaximal exam is more practical in a fitness/health environment. Both test require the individual being examined to perform controlled exercise on a(n) treadmill/ergometer until either steady state has consecutively been reached (submax), or the individual reaches their max (close to it). Being that both test are set to exceed time limits of more than 3 minutes we examine the use of the ATP-PC, Glycolytic, and Oxidative energy systems. Although a huge portion of the test involves the use of the oxidative energy system, we must remember that the three systems are co-occurrent.
In a similar study, researchers determined VO2 max using four different methods of treadmill running, cycle ergometer, step test and prediction2. The results found that the treadmill had the highest VO2 max followed by the ergometer, and the step test and prediction were the lowest2. This supports the findings of our experiment, showing that VO2 max will be higher2 depending the tests mode of exercise and how trained the subject is in that exercise.
Cardiovascular fitness is a form of aerobic fitness (Neporent and Egan 1997). There are many different ways of evaluating the amount of oxygen used during cardiovascular fitness and one the methods involved is called VO2 Max. VO2 Max is the maximum amount of oxygen that the body can hold. (Simon and Levisohm 1987). Cardiovascular fitness helps to improve a healthy lifestyle.
The higher a person’s VO2max, the longer they can sustain endurance events at higher training intensities. Conclusively, the experiment proved that the trained participant had a higher VO2max (higher oxygen consumption) and was indeed more fit than that of the untrained participant.
The human body is composed of three different energy systems that “provide energy for muscular work and exercise, including two anaerobic systems and one aerobic.” (Amezdroz, Dickens, Hosford, Stewart, and Davis,2010) (Refer to Appendix A). Our bodies need a continuous supply of energy in the form of ATP (Adenosine Phosphate) to do work. All three systems produce ATP to fuel our bodies with energy depending on the conditions of the activities, such as duration and intensity. An aquathon is “the simplest form of multisport, it consists of swimming and running” (Triathlon.org, 2018). This analytical exposition will justify how the contribution of energy from the aerobic system supports my aquathon capacities.
McKenzie, D. C. (2012). Respiratory physiology: Adaptations to high-level exercise. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 46(6), 381. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2011-090824
Endurance running is a rewarding experience that puts to test an athlete’s courage, perseverance and determination. It is a marvelous wonder how the human body, with the proper conditioning and mental focus, could achieve such tasking running distance. Elite runners complete the marathon course in just over 2 hours, while the average runner completes it in about 4.5 hours. It’s difficult to comprehend how someone could run, consistently, for 4.5 hours.The actual marathon is simply a formality as the journey starts the day training begins. The outcome, the day of the marathon, is dependent on how successful the training program was executed. Long distance runners are the biggest advocates of the sport, always convincing others to jump on the training wagon. However, some runners, while they refuse to admit it, ponder if the effects of long distance running could be doing more damage than good. It is true that long distance running is potentially dangerous to the heart; however, research suggests that physician examination, as well as proper mechanics and posture during the training phase would ensure an enjoyable journey towards reaching an endurance goal injury free and would even benefit the heart in the long run.
Interval training brings many benefits to the aerobic system. Perhaps the most important benefit is an increase in its capacity to produce energy. This is brought about by increased capacity to consume oxygen during exercise. Several experiments have yielded results demonstrating that interval training increases both VO2 peak (Perry, 2008) and VO2 max (Sloth, 2013). Oxygen is necessary for the conversion of sugar, protein, and lipids into usable energy. The chemical processes involved in aerobic metabolism are not possible without oxygen, particularly the electron transport chain, the mechanism responsible for 95% of the ATP needed to keep cells alive. Oxygen is necessary to capture the large amount of energy locked in the chemical bonds of pyruvic acid, the product of the anaerobic process glycolysis. Thus, the more oxygen the body is able to consume, the greater production of ATP via the aerobic system.
There are many tools to assess functional exercise capacity most of which provide good information about body system. The most popular clinical exercise tests are stair climbing, a 6MWT, a shuttle-walk test, detection of exercise-induced asthma, a cardiac stress test and a cardiopulmonary exercise test) (ATS, 2002). In the past, the functional exercise capacity was assessed by asking patients “How many flights of stairs can you climb or how many blocks can you walk?”; but, this assessment was a subjective measurement. In addition, the first objective tool was in 1960s which was 12 minute walking test; however, it was so exhausting for patients. As a result from that, a 6 minute walking test (6MWT) was found to be used as an objective measurement tool for functional exercise capacity in patients with mild or moderate respiratory diseases and cardiac diseases (ATS, 2002). Many studies have concluded that 6MWT is inexpensive test and“… it is easy to administer, better tolerated, and more reflective of activities of daily living than the other walk tests” (ATS, 2002). Therefore, this essay will describe the 6MWT and comment on administration, application, reliability and validity based on the literature reviews.
VO2 max is defined as the maximum volume of oxygen that can be consumed per minute as a measure of fitness (Marlin). To accurately measure VO2 max a maximal amount of physical effort will be needed to fully tax the aerobic energy system. Exercise intensity will be increased while measuring ventilation and oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration of the the inhaled and exhaled air. VO2 max is achieved when oxygen consumption remains at steady state despite an increase in work intensity. Those who are deemed fit will have a higher VO2 max. Proper exercise and training can influence your VO2 max while age can cause your vo2 max to decrease. The mean value of VO2 max for male athletes is estimated at 3.5 litres/ minute and for a female athlete is about 2.7 litres/minute these number are referred to as the absolute value. Physical limitations and physiological factors will affect the Vo2 max testing. Using the modified Bruce protocol and analysis the results, Dr. Burt Staniar and Abby Hughes determined their respective VO2 maxes. VO2 max is reported
Vuori, I 2007, ‘Physical activity and health: Metabolic and cardiovascular issues’, Advances in Physiotherapy, vol. 9 pp. 50-64, April.
As a distance runner for the Buena Vista University Cross Country and Track team, in Storm Lake, Iowa, my experience with low mileage training and high mileage training came out wit...
Cardiorespiratory endurance: This includes the ability to sustain cardiorespiratory exercise such as running or riding a bike for an extended amount of time. This makes your heart, blood, lungs work together to provide enough energy, oxygen, and nutrients, to the working muscles to avoid fatigue.
After that, the subjects were ready to begin testing. During the first eight visits, the participants performed the exhaustion ride (ER) at the same time of day. Most of the ERs were performed on a week by week premise, but sometimes it went up to 3 weeks in between test sessions. The first phase of the ER involved 5 min of non-stop cycling at around 50% VO2max with a pedal frequency that was between 60 and 100 rev/min. During the second phase, subjects rode until they felt exhausted at roughly 80% VO2max at the same pedaling frequency. Once the pedal frequency fell below 50 revs/min they had to stop. The data revealed that supplements of caffeine remarkably increased total exercise time, even if the caffeine in capsule form was taken right
Aerobic exercise involves improving the cardiovascular system. It increases the efficiency with which the body is able to utilize oxygen (Dintiman, Stone, Pennington, & Davis, 1984). In other words, aerobic exercise means that continuous and large amounts of oxygen are needed to get in order to generate the amount of energy needed to complete the workout. The most common type of aerobic exercise is long-distance running, or jogging. While running, the body requires large amounts of energy in order for the body to sustain energy. “During prolonged exercise, most of the energy is aerobic, derived from the oxidation of carbohydrates and fats” (Getchell, 1976).