Determination of Maximal Oxygen Consumption Lab Report

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DETERMINATION OF MAXIMAL OXYGEN CONSUMPTION (VO2MAX) LAB REPORT

Introduction

Background:

In this lab, we explored the theory of maximal oxygen consumption. “Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) is defined as the highest rate at which oxygen can be taken up and utilized by the body during severe exercise” (Bassett and Howley, 2000). VO2max is measured in millimeters of O2 consumed per kilogram of body weight per min (ml/kg/min). It is commonly known as a good way to determine a subject’s cardio-respiratory endurance and aerobic fitness level. Two people whom are given the same aerobic task (can both be considered “fit”) however, the more fit individual can consume more oxygen to produce enough energy to sustain higher, intense work loads during exercise. The purpose of this lab experiment was performed to determine the VO2max results of a trained vs. an untrained participant to see who was more fit.

Methods & Materials

Participants/Materials:

This lab experiment was conducted in a Texas Woman’s University exercise physiology lab room, on September 20, 2013. It consisted of two main participants: A trained participant (Male; 30 years old; 72 in. tall; 82.9 kg) and an untrained participant (Female; 20 years old; 65 in. tall; 75 kg). They were selected by my Prof. April Hartman to participate because they were best qualified to conduct the study in our class. Both participants were assigned to carry out the same experimental task. The Bruce Protocol (graded test) on a treadmill (mode of exercise) was used to conduct the VO2max test. The materials needed were: 1 metabolic cart (with computers); 2 mouthpieces; 1 nose clip; 1 treadmill; 1 RPE scale; 1 timer; pen; paper; and a HR monitor.

Procedure:

1) The m...

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...roduces more blood lactate that it can reabsorb. At this point ventilation increases exponentially. The goal with lactate threshold training is to raise your threshold point to as close as possible to your maximum heart rate, and improve your ability to withstand that discomfort” (Messonnier, 2013). This concept was depicted by the trained participant. As stated in the introduction and discussion sections and depicted throughout the graphs one can conclude that the trained participant was in fact more fit and could consume more oxygen than the untrained participant.

Conclusion:

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.

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