Ch.1 - Common Measurements in Exercise Physiology

Question 1

what is the metric system?

Answer 1

is the system of measurement used by scientists to express mass, length, and volume

Question 2

System International (SI) units

Answer 2

it ensures standardization in the reporting of scientific data and makes comparison of published values easy

ex: mass=kg, distance=m, time=sec etc

Question 3

work

Answer 3

is defined as the product of force and the distance through which that force acts:

*** work = force x distance

si units for force is newtons (N)
si unit for distance is meters (m)

Question 4

power

Answer 4

how much work is accomplished per unit of time

si unit for power is watt (W) and is defined as 1 joule per second

power can be calculated as:

*** power = work / time

Question 5

ergometry

Answer 5

the measurement of work output

Question 6

ergometer

Answer 6

refers to the apparatus or device used to measure a specific type of work

ex: step ups, stationary bike, treadmill, stationary bike but for arms

Question 7

cycle ergometer

Answer 7

developed more than 100 years ago

common type is the Monark friction-braked cycle

Question 8

percent grade

Answer 8

the incline of the treadmill

is the vertical rise per 100 units of belt travel

Question 9

kilocalorie (kcal)

Answer 9

used to express energy expenditure and the energy value of foods

1kcal=1000 calories

Question 10

direct calorimetry

Answer 10

the process of measuring a person’s metabolic rate via the measurement of heat production

person is in a chamber and body heat needs to match the heat of water on the perimeter

not good because there are flaws and its expensive

Question 11

indirect calorimetry

Answer 11

doesn’t involve direct measurement of heat production

nutrients + O2 –> heat +CO2 + H2O

its necessary to know the type of nutrient (ie carbohydrate, fat or protein) that was metabolized)

Question 12

VO2 (L x min)

Answer 12

oxygen consumption can be calculated in litres of oxygen used per minute (L/m)

Question 13

kcal x min

Answer 13

oxygen uptake can be also be expressed in kilocalories used per minute

Question 14

VO2 (ml x kg x min)

Answer 14

when the measured oxygen uptake, expressed in liters per minute, is multiplied by 1000 to yield milliliters per minute and then divided by the subjects body weight in kg

Question 15

METs

Answer 15

the resting metabolic rate varies with age and gender, being less in females than males, and decreases with age (23).

it is a term used to represent resting metabolism and is taken, by convention, to be 3.5 ml x kg x min. That is 1 met.

Question 16

kcal x kg x hr

Answer 16

the MET expression can also be used to express the number of calories the subject uses per kilogram of body weight per hour

Question 17

relative VO2

Answer 17

expressing VO2 as a function of the body weight

appropriate when describing the O2 cost of weight bearing activities such as walking, running, and climbing steps

Question 18

net efficiency

Answer 18

the mathematical ratio of work output divided by the energy expended above rest

Question 19

the efficiency of exercise is influenced by several factors:

Answer 19

1. the exercise work rate
2. the speed of movement and
3. the fibre composition of the muscles performing the exercise