EP - Exercise Testing Flashcards
Define fitness and what components are involved:
the body’s ability to perform physical activity efficiently and effectively
Fitness is specific to the activity (e.g., a marathon runner vs. a weightlifter)
Includes:
Aerobic capacity
Anaerobic power
Musculoskeletal integrity
Neuromuscular coordination
Recovery ability
Limitation: No single test captures overall fitness due to its multi-dimensional nature.
How do you test for flexibility and what are the limitations ?
Sit-and-reach test (hamstrings/lower back)
Goniometry (joint-specific ROM)
Limitations:
- Highly joint-specific
- doesn’t correlate well with functional mobility
- Influenced by muscle temperature, limb length, prior activity
How do you test maximal strength and describe some limitations ?
1-Repetition Max (1RM) for major lifts
Grip strength dynamometer (predicts life expectancy for elderly due to strength and correlation with bone density and presence of osteopathic diseases)
Isokinetic dynamometry (Biodex)
Limitations:
1RM requires proper technique, risk of injury in novices
Results may be task- and muscle-group-specific
Motivation and neural factors influence results
What is anaerobic power, how do you test it and what are some limitations ?
Anaerobic power = maximum rate of energy production without oxygen (ATP-PCr and glycolytic systems)
Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT): 30s maximal cycling against resistance - Measures peak power, mean power, fatigue index
Margaria-Kalamen Test: sprint up stairs; uses body mass and time
Limitations:
Fatigue and motivation-dependent
Influenced by technique and body composition
Wingate test requires specialist ergometers
What is isokinetic testing and what are some limitations involved ?
Measures: muscular strength or power during constant-speed contractions (e.g., using Biodex)
Joint angle and angular velocity are fixed
Commonly used in rehabilitation and research
Advantages:
- Provides detailed muscle group profiles
- Can detect muscle imbalances
Disadvantages:
- Expensive equipment, not functional for everyday movements
- Non-weight bearing; may not transfer to real-world performance
What is isometric testing and what are some limitations ?
Measures: maximum force generated without joint movement (e.g., handgrip dynamometer, mid-thigh pull)
Advantages:
- low injury risk
- useful in rehab and elderly populations
Disadvantages:
- Not representative of dynamic strength
- can’t assess power or endurance
- Less functional than isotonic/isokinetic testing
What are body composition tests and provide some disadvantages ?
Assesses fat mass, lean body mass, bone density
Methods:
Skinfold calipers (cheap, but operator dependent)
Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA): quick, non-invasive
DEXA scan: gold standard, highly accurate
Air displacement plethysmography (BodPod)
Limitations:
BIA sensitive to hydration status
Skinfolds vary with technician skill
DEXA is expensive and limited in access
What are increment tests and provide some limitations ?
Used in lab settings to assess graded responses to exercise
Incremental treadmill or bike protocols (e.g., Bruce, Balke, ramp protocols)
Variables recorded - HR, VO₂, blood lactate, BP, ventilatory threshold
Purpose:
- determine VO₂ max and identify anaerobic threshold
- Evaluate cardiopulmonary disease
Limitations:
- Requires lab and specialist supervision
- May be inappropriate for high-risk individuals without clearance
What are aerobic tests and provide some limitations ?
Assess VO₂ max or aerobic capacity
Maximal tests:
Treadmill or cycle ergometer with gas exchange analysis
Directly measures VO₂ max (ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹)
Field tests:
12-minute Cooper run, beep test, Rockport walk test
Limitations:
VO₂ max tests require lab and trained personnel
Field tests are less accurate, influenced by weather, terrain, pacing
What are sub-maximal tests and provide some limitations ?
Estimate aerobic fitness without reaching max effort.
Examples:
Astrand-Ryhming cycle test
YMCA submaximal cycling protocol
Step tests (e.g., Harvard, Chester)
Advantages:
Safer for unfit/clinical populations
Requires less equipment and time
Limitations:
Estimations assume standard HR response to work
Can be inaccurate for trained individuals or those on HR-affecting meds
