LSM 3212 PRACTICAL SESSION Intro: Practical: Worksheet: 30 min 60 min 20 min

INTRODUCTION Exercise induces marked changes in human physiology. These include cardiovascular, hormonal, thermoregulatory and metabolic adjustments. The metabolic system produces energy to support all cellular and organ functions in the body. The ability to perform high level of physical work depends heavily on the ability of the metabolic system to produce sufficient energy at a rate that is required to sustain the organs that are involved in the performance of the work. The ability of the heart to transport oxygen to the working muscle and the ability of the muscles to extract and utilise the oxygen in the aerobic metabolic system has a significant impact on the work output in endurance activities. The oxygen uptake (VO2) at a given stage, from resting to exhaustion, refers to the status of oxygen utilisation, whereas VO2max is the maximum capacity of O2 utilisation towards or at the final stage of exercise. Maximal oxygen uptake is an important determinant of performance in endurance sports. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) has traditionally been used as the gold standard of cardiorespiratory fitness, since it is considered to be the single physiological variable that defines the functional capacity of both the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. However, it is more accurate to think of it as an indicator of both the potential for aerobic (endurance) performance, and to a lesser extent, training status. The VO2max of an individual is influenced to a greater or lesser degree by a number of factors including training status, the initial level of fitness (reflecting an individuals habitual activity and genetic endowment), their age and gender. For any individual, higher VO2max values are more likely to be observed in running than cycling. In this way, if the aim of the VO2max test is to produce meaningful values for interpretation of current training status then the specificity of the test protocol should be of upper most importance. There are a large number of protocols that can be used for direct determination of VO2max, but common to all of these is that subjects perform rhythmic exercise that requires a large muscle mass and is of an intensity and duration of effort that is sufficient to maximise aerobic energy transfer. In this way, we can ensure that the cardiorespiratory system is taxed and that the test is not limited by local musculature endurance. Given the large number of protocols that are in use for the determination of VO2max, it is important that we have some guidelines/criteria for attainment to enable us to establish maximal oxygen uptake in adults. In this practical session, we will be determining VO2max directly using a continuous protocol of increasing intensity until volitional fatigue.

This practical session aims to introduce the basic concepts of VO2 and VO2max testing. By the end of this session, you should know: a. b. c. The procedures of VO2max testing. The basic components of the VO2 test results. How to determine the VO2max from a set of test results.

PROCEDURES OF VO2max TESTING A healthy volunteer will be identified for to perform a submaximal (also called the running economy test) and a maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) tests. 1) Volunteer will wear a facemask connected to a breath-by-breath pulmonary gas exchange analyser and a heart rate telemetry system. All measurements will be captured by a computer software. 2) The running velocity-oxygen uptake relationship will be determined for each volunteer during three sub-maximal stages across velocities of 10-14 kmh-1 on a level treadmill. The duration for each stage will be 3 min with the treadmill belt velocity increasing by 1 kmh-1 at the end of each stage. 3) Average oxygen uptake over the final 60 s of each stage will be used to determine the individual regression equation for running velocity (kmh-1) versus oxygen uptake (mlmin-1kg-1). 4) Following 5 min of active recovery, a continuous incremental treadmill test to volitional exhaustion will be performed to determine VO2max. 5) During the VO2max test, the running velocity (10-14 kmh-1) will be kept constant, while the gradient will be increased every 3 min starting from 3.5% with a 2.5% increment every 3 min thereafter until the volunteer indicates that he/she can only maintain the required exercise intensity for ONE MORE MINUTE. The highest VO2 recorded over a 60 s period will be accepted as VO2max. 6) During the last min of every stage, record heart rate and rating of perceived exertion (30 s into last min).

IMPORTANT: Pay attention to the volunteer at all times. You must be constantly aware of the volunteers physical and mental state. Experimenters should always be ready to act upon volunteers final 1-minute signal. During the final minute, the group must be generous in their encouragement, and continually give the volunteer a breakdown of the time remaining. Once the minute is over, the treadmill speed should be drastically reduced. However, the volunteer should be encouraged to continue walking, to avoid the consequences of a rapid fall in blood pressure.

Body mass (kg): ___________

Speed (kmh-1) Submaximal Test Gradient (%) 0 0 0 3.5 Maximal Test 6.0 8.5 11.0

Age (y): ________

VO2 (mlmin-1kg-1) VO2 (lmin-1) RER HR (beatsmin-1) RPE

* VO2 - oxygen uptake; RER respiratory exchange ratio; HR - heart rate; RPE rating of perceived exertion

WORKSHEET
70.0

65.0

y = 4.4504x - 11.272 2 R = 0.9977

60.0

55.0 VO2 (ml/min/kg)

50.0

45.0

40.0

35.0

30.0

25.0 8.0 9.0 10.0 11.0 12.0 13.0 Speed (km/h) 14.0 15.0 16.0 17.0 18.0

VO2 (mlmin-1kg-1) vs and running speed (kmh-1) a. What are the VO2 values and the running speeds for 50% and 75% of VO2max (10 marks)?

b. What are the Metabolic Equivalent (MET) values for each of the submaximal stages and at VO2max (10 marks)?

c. What are the commonly adopted criteria for VO2max? Did the participant achieve these criteria? He is 20 years old. (30marks).