LABORATORY REPORT
LAB # 7 Graded Exercise Testing (GXT), Measurement of VO2max, and
Circulatory Response to Exercise
Dakota Shirar
SECTION I: INTRODUCTION (5 points)
In this laboratory, the effects of exercise on VO2 and the cardiovascular system. A graded
exercise test was preformed and four variables were monitored: VO2, heart rate, rated
perceived exertions, and SO2. The purpose of this laboratory is to analyze physiological
changes, specifically oxygen needs and circulatory changes, in the body during exercise and
to gain experience conducting a graded exercise test. It is important to understand oxygen
consumption and needs and circulatory adaptations to make sure the body is adequately
fueled with oxygen and nutrients are reaching muscles. When training, VO2 is used to gage
intensity. The more oxygen that can be consumed, the easier an exercise is.
SECTION II: REVIEW OF LITERATURE (10 points)
The study by George, Bradshaw, Hyde, Vehrs, Hager, and Yanowitz tests different variable
to see which is the most accurate indicator when predicting VO2 during a graded exercise
test. This relates to the laboratory preformed in the way that a graded exercise test was
used to determine VO2. Some of the variable discussed in this article such as intensity,
biometrics, and demographics could have been used to predict an expected VO2 of the
participant. It was determined that the variable that best predicts VO2 in a graded exercise
test was treadmill speed representing intensity1.
In the study by Sperlich, Holmberg, Reed, Zinner, Mester, and Sperlich, four different
testing protocols are examined to see which one results in the most accurate value for
VO2max. In this laboratory, a standardized protocol was used based on the participant’s
activity level to determine VO2. Protocols tested in this study include an individualized self
paced test and three different incremental protocols. The study found that there is no
difference in VO2max between individual exercise tests and standardized exercise tests2.
SECTION III: METHODS (5 points)
The participant was a 20-year-old male, 85 kg, 180 cm, in good health and is athletic. The
participant is a baseball player. A PAR-Q (figure 2) and informed consent (figure 1)
explaining the laboratory to the participant was created and signed by the subject prior to
testing. The subject’s measurements such as height, weight, heart rate, and blood pressure
was taken. The subject was instructed to preform any necessary stretches to warm up. The
oxygen analyzer was turned on and the program CardioCoach™ was opened. A new test
with a new customer was created with the participant’s information. The test category
selected was the “2015 ESS 325L” and the test type selected was the “ESS 325L GXT
Protocol Level 1”. While the equipment calibrated, a heart rate monitor was gelled and
placed on the participant right under the breastbone. A mask was fitted to the subjects face
and adjusted to fit tightly so no air leaked. The hose was then attached only to the mask.
The treadmill was turned on and adjusted to the speed of 3 miles per hour for stage one.
The participant straddled the treadmill while the heart rate jack was plugged into the
oxygen analyzer. When the analyzer displayed “waiting for first breath” the hose was
attached to the oxygen analyzer and a baseline heart rate and oxygen intake was
established. When this was established, the oxygen analyzer signaled that it was ready for
testing. The subject was prompted to begin the test whenever ready. The test was begun.
The first stage was a warm up stage that lasted two minutes at 3 mph and had no incline.
The subject’s heart rate, SO2, VO2, and RPE was taken near the end of the stage. The
participant was then informed about the upcoming stage and was asked if they could
continue. They said yes. The second stage was 4 mph and no incline for three minutes. The
same information was collected near the end of the stage and the participant was asked if
they could continue. They said yes. The third stage was 5 mph and no incline for three
minutes. The same information was collected near the end of the stage and the participant
was asked if they could continue. They said yes. The fourth stage was 5.5 mph and 0.5%
incline for three minutes. The same information was collected near the end of the stage and
the participant was asked if they could continue. They said yes. The fifth stage was 6 mph
and 1% incline for three minutes. The same information was collected near the end of the
stage and the participant was asked if they could continue. They said yes. The sixth stage
was 6.5 mph and 2% incline for three minutes. The same information was collected near
the end of the stage and the participant was asked if they could continue. They said yes.
The seventh stage was the recovery stage at 3 mph and no incline for three minutes. The
same information was collected near the end of the stage. The test was ended and the
participant straddled the treadmill as it was stopped. The mask was taken off the
participant. Immediately following the end of the test, the post exercise blood pressure
was taken and recorded. The information gathered in the database was saved. All
equipment was cleaned and left to dry. The database was closed; the computer, treadmill,
and oxygen analyzer were turned off.
SECTION IV: RESULTS (5 points)
The data collected in the database was saved via screenshot. Figure 3 contains graphs that
show physiological changes such as VO2 and heart rate throughout the test. Figure 4 is a
trend table that shows measurements of heart rate and VO2 at specific times. Data Sheet 7.1
shows information about the participant and information gathered before, during, and
after the test. It indicates the heart rate, VO2, SO2, and RPE at the end of each stage. It also
displays the speed and incline of each stage. Figure 5 is a graph representing the changes in
heart rate at each stage. For exact values see Data Sheet 7.1. Figure 6 is a graph representing
the changes of RPE at each stage. For exact values see Data Sheet 7.1. Figure 7 is a graph
representing the changes of SO2 at each stage. For exact values see Data Sheet 7.1. Figure 8
is a graph representing the changes of VO2 at each stage. For exact values see Data Sheet 7.1.
SECTION V: DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS (10 points)
There was a steady increase in heart rate, RPE, VO2, and SO2 through the test and a sharp
decline during the recovery stage. This was expected because as the intensity of the test
increased, the body would have to work harder. When the intensity was greatly decreased
during the recovery stage, the body did not have to take in as much oxygen or pump as
much blood. The expected VO2max for a male baseball player is 40-50 (ml x kg-1 x min-1)3.
The highest VO2 recorded was 49.6 ml x kg-1 x min-1 which falls with in the range but was
not the VO2max. Since the highest heart rate recorded was 177 bpm and the predicted max
heart rate was 200 bpm, it can be assumed that the participant did not reach either VO2max
or max heart rate. Another indicator that the participant did not reach maximum exertion
is reflected in the RPE values recorded. The highest difficulty recorded was 16, which is
hard. A more desired response indicating maximal stress would be a value of 19 or 20,
extremely hard. It could be possible that the test did not have enough stages or difficult
enough stages to reach maximum heart rate and VO2.
SECTION VI: CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS (5 points)
It is concluded from the data collected that as the intensity of exercise increases so does
heart rate and VO2. A graded exercise test can be used to determine the VO2max of a
participant and also what percent of the max is an appropriate intensity when training.
The correlating heart rate with a specific VO2 can be used to gage the intensity of a work
out as some goals can are obtained by focusing on different intensities.
REFERENCE:
1. George J, Bradshaw D, Hyde A, Vehrs P, Hager R, Yanowitz F. A Maximal Graded
Exercise Test to Accurately Predict VO2max in 18-65-Year-Old Adults. Measurement In
Physical Education & Exercise Science [serial online]. September 2007;11(3):149-160.
Available from: Academic Search Premier, Ipswich, MA. Accessed November 28, 2015.
2. Sperlich P, Holmberg H, Reed J, Zinner C, Mester J, Sperlich B. Individual versus
Standardized Running Protocols in the Determination of VO2max. Journal Of Sports
Science & Medicine [serial online]. June 2015;14(2):386-393. Available from: Academic
Search Premier, Ipswich, MA. Accessed November 28, 2015.
3. VO2 Max. VO2 Max. Available at: http://www.bodyresults.com/e2vo2max.asp. Accessed
2015.
Edwards K, Wilson K, Sadja J, Ziegler M, Mills P. Effects on blood pressure and autonomic
nervous system function of a 12-week exercise or exercise plus DASH-diet intervention in
individuals with elevated blood pressure. Acta Physiologica [serial online]. November
2011;203(3):343-350. Available from: Academic Search Premier, Ipswich, MA. Accessed
September 2, 2013. DO NOT DELETE THIS EXAMPLE FROM THE
TEMPLATE. USE IT AS YOUR GUIDE AS YOU ENTER YOUR
REFERENCE(S).
Figure 1
Figure 1 Continued
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
DATA SHEET 7.1
Graded Exercise Testing
Subject Information:
Height- 5’11” (180 cm)
Weight- 187 lbs (85 kg)
Protocol Level 1
Resting Heart Rate: 78 bpm
Resting Blood Pressure in supine position: 123/ 72 mmHg
Immediate post cool-down stage Blood Pressure: 130/87 mmHg
Stage
1 (Warm Up)
2
3
4
5
6
7 (Cool Down)
Speed
(mph)
3
4
5
5.5
6
6.5
3
Grade
(%)
0
0
0
.5
1
2
0
HR
(bpm)
108
120
141
163
168
177
116
RPE
5
9
12
14
15
16
5
SO2
(%)
96
97
97
98
98
98
97
Your subject’s Absolute VO2max: 4.22 (l · min-1)
Your subject’s Relative VO2max: 24.7 (ml · kg-1 · min-1)
VO2
(ml x kg-1 x min-1)
15.9
21.1
35.4
36.3
44.8
49.6
13.6
Figure 5
Changes in Heart Rate by Stage
200
Heart Rate (Beats per Minutes)
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
7
8
Stages
Figure 6
Rated Perceived Exertion by Stage
18
Rated Percieved Exertion (RPE)
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
0
1
2
3
4
Stages
5
6
Figure 7
SO2 by Stage
98.5
98
SO2(%)
97.5
97
96.5
96
95.5
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Stages
Figure 8
VO2 by Stage
60
VO2 (mLxkg-1x-1)
50
40
30
20
10
0
0
1
2
3
4
Stages
5
6
7
8