Unit 8: Aerobic Performance

Question 1

Aerobic Activity

Answer 1

-a task that you can sustain over a long period of time
-Oxygen is the main source of energy - you breathe faster and deeper than normal so that your blood is supplied with oxygen and your HR increases which increases blood flow to your working muscles and back to your lungs

Question 2

Aerobic energy system

Answer 2

sustained activity with oxygen system

Question 3

Maximal aerobic power

Answer 3

the highest amount of chemical energy that can be transformed in the aerobic machinery of muscle mitochondria per unit time and can be measured as maximal O2 uptake

Question 4

Aerobic capacity

Answer 4

denotes the total chemical energy available to preform aerobic work

Question 5

How do you measure aerobic capacity

Answer 5

we can use surrogate variables such as endurance performance, time to exhaustion or bioindicators

Question 6

Limitations in measuring maximal aerobic power

Answer 6

-estimates of aerobic performance that are not also influenced by anaerobic energy production are rarely possible to obtain
-but when exercise is low to moderate intensity or when it lasts for 8-10 minutes at least, the contribution of non-oxidative pathways to the energy needs of the working organism is quite small

Question 7

VO2 Max test

Answer 7

a maximal exercise test performed on a treadmill or bike while connected to a machine capable of analyzing your expired air
-provides data on how much oxygen you use as you exercise and determines the maximal oxygen you can consume during exercise

Question 8

Benefits of VO2 max test

Answer 8

-accurate measurement of current fitness level
-evaluation of effectiveness of a training program
-prediction of maximal steady-state running speed/incline or cycling wattage

Question 9

Measurement Issues for VO2 max testing in children

Answer 9

1. Important to obtain full cooperation from the child
2. Getting this cooperation will require explaining the test using age appropriate terms
3. Familiarization to the protocol equipment
4. Encouragement during the test itself (especially during the last 2-3 minutes of the test)

Question 10

What factors must be considered when using the same ergometers in children that are commonly used in adults

Answer 10

-moving seat closer to pedals
-pedal shaft shortened
-in adults musical metronome can be used but for children visual or auditory cues are easier for them

Question 11

Treadmill vs. Cycling Ergometer

Answer 11

Running on a treadmill uses a larger muscle mass than pedaling on a cycle ergometer
VO2 max 10% lower on cycle ergometer

Question 12

Arm vs cycle ergometer

Answer 12

arms achieve 60-70% of what is achieved through cycling

Question 13

Disadvantages of using a treadmill for VO2 max testing

Answer 13

-risk of tripping
-requires additional research assistant
-some children will terminate test prematurely due to fear

Question 14

Treadmill running in children

Answer 14

-many labs use treadmill for children under 10
-even as young as 5-6 years old can master treadmill running after 3-5 minutes
-some children take several trials

Question 15

Attention span during VO2 Max testing

Answer 15

children have short attention spans
tests of maximal aerobic power should not exceed 8-10 minutes
initial work rates and the increments must be carefully planned out

Question 16

Criteria for achieving maximal O2 uptake

Answer 16

-heart rate of 220 beats/min - age
-respiratory exchange ratio of 1.05 of higher
-plateau in VO2 Max: only 40-50% of them achieve - max effort can be assumed without the plateau

Question 17

Fick Equation

Answer 17

VO2=Q(CaO2-CVO2)
VO2 = O2 Uptake
Q= cardiac output (HR x SV)
CaO2 and CVO2 = the content of oxygen in the arterial and mixed venous blood

Question 18

Cardiovascular responses during aerobic exercise

Answer 18

Increase cardiac output due to increased heart rate

Question 19

Cardiovascular responses during growth

Answer 19

dimensions of the heart enlarge with age and with out growth in body mass
-increase in size is associated with an increase in stroke volume
-despite HR decline Q increases

Question 20

Economy of movement

Answer 20

reflects the metabolic cost of performing a certain physical task

Question 21

Why is the economy of walking and running higher in young children

Answer 21

-mechanical cost of locomotion may be higher in children
-could be attributed to smaller persons having shorter strides
-frequency of strides is more demanding
-Could also be a result of co-activation
-7-8 year old were seen to have distinctly more co-contraction in knee and calf antagonists than older groups

Question 22

What is maximal aerobic power related to

Answer 22

sex, body size, maturity status of children and adolescents

Question 23

Calculating Maximal aerobic capacity

Answer 23

Flick equation can be modified to maximal values to determine VO2 max

Question 24

Max Heart rates and breathing

Answer 24

-highest in children (195-205)
-decline with age
-Max rate in adolescence is 190-195
-size of heart increases during growth and the increase generally proportional to body mass
-VO2 max is highly correlated with the absolute size of the heart
-Maximal pulmonary ventilation increases with age
-children have higher breathing frequency but a shallower breath volume
-increased capacity of oxygen transport system

Question 25

What can VO2 max determine

Answer 25

VO2 max can be a good predictor of athletic performance
-can act as a bench mark
-can help determine cardiorespiratory fitness in anyone