PREDICTED MAX VO2 LABORATORY REPORT GUIDE
This laboratory involves a fairly large amount of data with several possible methods of analysis. Do not
become frustrated with the number of things to deal with--just take each one, one at a time, until you are finished.
1. The data for the experiment can be found on the course Website as usual. Load this file into Excel and then
immediately save it to your disk as PREDMAX. This will give you your own copy of the file to work with.
2. The basic data have already been entered into the Excel spreadsheet for you. Certain variables must be added by
you and certain other variables calculated by Excel. NOTE: Comments have been entered in some cells to help you
figure out what to do. Just place your cursor over the cell and the comment appears!
a. Enter the oxygen uptake required for the bicycle work load into the column provided. These values may be
obtained from the laboratory procedures sheets (Table 1) and have been listed in a “comment” in the data
sheet.
b. Calculate the “theoretical” predicted max values in L/min by entering the following formula into the cell for
the subject in row 4 column I:
=1/((F4-70)/(130*E4))
Once you have the first value in a column calculated correctly (check the value with your hand calculations!)
you need to format the displayed value to tenths. Next, drag the “black cross” down to calculate all the
remaining values in the column. Remove any “missing” values, should there be any.
The above formulas will calculate the theoretical predicted max using the same procedure that was used in
class. Be sure to learn how to do this by hand, and demonstrate the process in your lab report as requested in
a later item.
c. Determine the Astrand predicted max in L/min for all subjects using the table provided in the laboratory
manual. Enter these into the spreadsheet in the appropriate columns. Note: It is not necessary for every
person to determine every value themselves. If you wish to cooperate with one or more other students in the
class to share the work, you are free to do so. However, be sure that you learn how to perform the operation
yourself in the process--don’t let someone else do so much that you don’t learn it yourself! Write your lab
report yourself!
d. Once all L/min values for both the methods (Astrand and Theoretical) have been calculated or otherwise
entered into the spreadsheet, calculate the mL/kg/min values by entering a simple formula into the cell for the
first subject in each column and then “drag down” to calculate the rest. Remove any “missing values.”
e. Once all the columns have been entered or calculated you are ready to obtain the information necessary for
the analysis of the data.
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PREDICTED MAX VO2 LABORATORY REPORT GUIDE--Page 2
Now you are ready to analyze your data and write your report. Use the following items as numbered.
1. Write the purpose for the experiment (not the test itself) using the recommended form (“form405.doc”).
2. Include a copy of the completed spreadsheet (once you have added all the values asked for in these directions,
including a new column or two and some correlations). Just place it as an “appendix” at the end of your paper and
refer the reader to it.
3. Hand calculate ONE theoretical maximal oxygen uptake, start to finish, showing each of the steps involved. Do not
go to the trouble of typing this out, but please do the following: Use a piece of unlined, standard paper and observe
the usual 1-inch margins all around. Print your calculations in black or blue ink (not colors or pencil!). Be neat and
include any explanations needed to make it clear what (and why) you are doing what you are doing. Again, you may
include this at the back of your paper and refer the reader to it as an appendix.
4. Calculate a Pearson correlation between the Astrand method (in mL/kg/min) and the Theoretical method (in
mL/kg/min) and then compare the fitness scores (mL/kg/min) produced by the Astrand method and the Theoretical
method by looking at the means for the two methods and the correlation between them. Discuss the similarity of the
means, as well as what the correlation means (interpret!).
5. The values for the Astrand method and the Theoretical method have a high correlation but do not agree as far as the
means are concerned. The high correlation indicates that one score (the Astrand value) can be predicted accurately
from the other score (Theoretical value). Determine AND DISCUSS the "correction factor" that must be applied
to a male's Theoretical score to make it best coincide with the Astrand value.
6. By adding additional columns to your Excel spreadsheet as necessary, demonstrate the effectiveness/accuracy of the
correction factor. (Add a column of corrected Theoretical values in L/min and a column with the difference
between the Astrand L/min value and the Theoretical L/min values. Once you have the differences in a column,
covert them to absolute values—all positive, and then produce an average error).
6. Determine the correlation between the Astrand maximal oxygen uptakes in mL/kg/min and the TMR scores.
Discuss the degree to which the tests agree with each other. Include information as to the accuracy of prediction of
TMR from Predicted Maximal Oxygen Uptake (coefficient of determinination).
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