Maximal Exercise Testing

Question 1

VO2 Max Testing

Answer 1

• Measures oxygen consumption
• Indicates individual’s ability to do aerobic work

Question 2

Units of VO2 Max

Answer 2

• Volume of O2 utilized by bodily tissues in order to produce energy per unit of time
• L/min

Question 3

Maximal O2 consumption depends on

Answer 3

• Cell’s ability to extract and use large amounts of ATP
• Ability of cardiovascular and respiratory systems to transport oxygen

Question 4

Pactical use of VO2 testing

Answer 4

• Provides recommendations for return to work after a cardiac event
• Developing exercise prescriptions in those with heart diseases
• “Gold standard” to measure exercise capacity

Question 5

Absolute VO2

Answer 5

• (L/min)
• Total amount of oxygen consumed

Question 6

Relative VO2

Answer 6

• (mL/kg/min)
• Total amount of oxygen consumed per kg of body weight

Question 7

Respiratory exchange ratio (RER or R)

Answer 7

• (VCO2 produced/VO2 consumed)
• Estimates the composition of fuels being used for energy

Question 8

Range for RER

Answer 8

0.7 (pure fat oxidation) - 1.0 (pure carb oxidation)

Question 9

METs

Answer 9

• (Relative VO2/3.5)
• Estimates the amount of energy during physical activity compared to resting metabolism
• Can be used to compare exertion required for different activities

Question 10

METS and Calories

Answer 10

• 1 MET = 5kcal
• At 2 MET, an individual is using 2x the calories per minute than at rest
• Depends on body weight

Question 11

Criteria for VO2 Max

Answer 11

• RER > 1.10
• RPE > 17
• Venous Lactate Concentration > 8 mmol/L
• Plateau of VO2 despite increased workload
• HR within 10 beats of age-predicted HR max (220 - age)

**MUST MEET TWO

Question 12

VO2 Peak

Answer 12

• Less than two criteria are met
• Highest VO2 achieved in a maximal test without a plateau
• Subject usually quits before achieving true maximal exercise capacity

Question 13

Factors that affect VO2 Max

Answer 13

• Pain tolerance/motivation
• Sex
• Age
• Training status
• Body Comp
• Altitude

Question 14

Sex

Answer 14

Men tend to have a higher VO2 max because they have lower body fat, higher lean mass, and higher Hb

Question 15

Age

Answer 15

VO2 max will decrease by 1% yearly after the age of 25

Question 16

Body Comp

Answer 16

Individuals with more lean muscle mass have a higher VO2 max

Question 17

Altitude

Answer 17

Less O2 available for blood to release into muscles