Cardiorespiratory
Fitness
Cardiorespiratory Fitness
Assessment
• Purpose
– Determine level of fitness & set goals
– Develop safe & effective exercise
prescription
– Document improvements
– Motivation
– Provide info concerning health status
Cardiorespiratory Fitness
• Health Related
– Low levels
• ↑d risk of premature death
– ↑s
• reduction of death from all causes
– High levels
• high levels of PA & better health
Cardiorespiratory Fitness
• Related to the ability to perform large
muscle, dynamic, moderate-to-high intensity
exercise for prolonged periods.
Performance depends on
Respiratory
Cardiovascular
Skeletal muscles
Measuring Cardiovascular
Endurance (Aerobic Capacity)
• Best Measure?
• VO2max
– O2 uptake – Pulmonary
– O2 transport – Cardiac
– O2 utilization - Muscular
Measuring Cardiovascular
Endurance (Aerobic Capacity)
• VO2max
–Measure
–Estimate
–Laboratory Tests
–Field Tests
Measuring Aerobic Capacity
Laboratory Methods
Measures of Maximal Exercise Capacity
• Maximal Oxygen Consumption
Submaximal estimations
• Astrand Rhyming Nomogram
• YMCA Cycle Protocol
Linear Relationships Among
VO2, HR. & Workload
Measuring Aerobic Capacity
Field Methods
Distance runs
• 1 Mile Run
• 1.5 Mile Run
• 12 Minute Run
• 6 Minute Walk
• Rockport 1-Mile Walk Test
Measuring Aerobic Capacity
Field Methods
Step tests
• YMCA 3-Minute Step Test
Predicting VO2max w/o exercise
VO2max = 50.513 + 1.589 * self-reported physical activity –
.0289 * age in yrs - .552 & %Fat + 5.836 * gender
(female = 0; male = 1)
Measuring Aerobic Capacity
Laboratory Tests
Vs.
Field Methods
Advantages/Disadvantages??
Cardiorespiratory Fitness
• Which test?
– Time demands
– Expense or costs
– Personnel needed (i.e., qualifications)
– Equipment & facilities needed
– Physician supervision needed
– Population tested (safety concerns)
– Need for accuracy of data
Cardiorespiratory Fitness
• Field or Submaximal Tests advantages
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Less expensive
Does not need same level of clinical supervision
Lower risk
Less sensitive & specific for disease detection
Less equipment
Generally shorter
In lab tests can assess a workload progression
Estimates of VO2
Cardiorespiratory Fitness
• Field or Submaximal Tests
disadvantages
– Maximum measures estimated
– VO2max prediction error can be 10-20%
– Limited diagnostic capabilities
– Limited for exercise prescription
Standard Procedures
(must be followed)
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Standard testing protocol
Same modality & protocol – repeat testing
Constant pedal rate
Seat height
Time of day
Data collection standardized & consistent
Subjects free of infection – normal sinus rhythm
Pre test instructions
Room Temperature (64-68O) – air flow
Assumptions of Submax
Tests
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Measurements made in steady state
Linear relationship b/n HR & VO2
HRmax similar at same age
Mechanical efficiency same
Indications for Stopping an Exercise
Test in Low-Risk Adults
• Angina-like symptoms
• Drop (20 mmHg) in systolic BP or a failure
to rise
• Excessive rise in BP
– systolic pressure > 260 mmHg
– diastolic pressure > 115 mmHg
• Signs of poor perfusion
– light-headedness, confusion, ataxia, pallor,
cyanosis, nausea, or cold & clammy skin
Indications for Stopping an Exercise
Test in Low-Risk Adults
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Failure of heart rate to ↑
Noticeable Δ in heart rhythm
Subject requests to stop
Physical or verbal manifestations of
severe fatigue
• Failure of the testing equipment
Measuring Aerobic Capacity
Criterion Based Reference
Minimal levels of aerobic capacity associated
with a reduced risk of disease & death
• Females = VO2max of 31.5 ml/kg/min
• Males = VO2max of 35.0 ml/kg/min
Norm Based Reference
Cardiorespiratory Fitness
• Field Tests
– Complete a measured distance
– Distance covered in a certain time
• Submaximal Tests
– Step test
– Single or multiple stage cycle test
– HR measure
• Maximal Exertion
– Graded or progressive exertion to volitional
fatigue (measure)
Pre-Test Considerations
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Abstain from eating prior (>4 hrs)
Abstain from strenuous exercise (> 24 hrs)
Abstain form caffeine (>12-24 hrs)
Abstain from nicotine (> 3 hrs)
Abstain from alcohol (> 24 hrs)
Medications
Step Tests
Queens College or McArdle Step Test
• Step: ht = 16.25 in for 3 min
• Men: 24 steps/min;
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Women: 22 steps/min
Radial pulse in 1st-5 sec, for 15 sec
Men: VO2max = 111.33 – (0.42 * HR)
Women: VO2max = 65.81 – (0.1847 * HR)
1.5 Mile Run
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Record total time to complete 1.5 miles
VO2max = 3.5 + 483/time
– Time in nearest hundredth of min
12 Min Walk/Run
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Cover maximum distance in 12 min
VO2max = (3.126 * meters) - 11.3
Submaximal Cycle
Ergometer Advantages
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Non-weight bearing
Accurate workloads
Easy to measure HR & BP
Cost is lower than treadmill
Requires smaller space
No electricity needed
Submaximal Cycle
Ergometer Disadvantages
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Non-familiar work mode
Must maintain cadence
Leg fatigue
Submaximal Prediction of
CRF - Assumptions
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B/n HR of 110-150
HRmax = 220-age
Steady State
Constant cadence
Submaximal Prediction of
CRF – Sources of Error
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HRmax
Efficiency
Calibration
Accurate measurement of HR
HR at steady state
Cycle Ergometer Protocols (other)
Astrand-Rhyming Cycle Ergometer Test
• Single Stage Test – 6 minutes
• Males – unconditioned: 300 or 600 kgm/min
(50 or 100 watts)
• Males – conditioned: 600 or 900 kgm/min (100
or 150 watts)
• Females – unconditioned: 300 or 450 kgm/min
(50 or 75 watts)
• Females – conditioned: 450 or 600 kgm/min
(75 or 100 watts)
Cycle Ergometer Protocols (other)
Astrand-Rhyming Cycle Ergometer Test
(cont)
• 50 rpm
• Goal – HR b/n 125 to 170 – measured during
5th & 6th minutes – average the 2 HRs for
nomogram
• Nomogram – page 73 (Figure 4-1)
• Age adjustment – page 72
Treadmill Testing
• Not usually used for submaximal testing
• Range of efficiencies is so high
• Would not recommend – but can be
done
Step Tests
• Astrand-Rhyming
– Single step height – 33 cm for
women, 40 cm for men
– Rate = 22.5 steps/min for 6 minutes
• YMCA Protocol
– 12 in – 24 steps/min
– 1 min - Recovery heart rate
Field Tests
• Rockport 1-mile walk Test
– HR at end
– VO2max (ml/kg/min) = 132.9 – 0.17 (body mass
in kg) – 0.39 (age in yrs) + 6.3 (gender) - 3.26
(time in min) – 0.16 (HR)
• 1.5-mile run test
– VO2max (ml/kg/min) = 3.5 + 483/(time in min)