General Exercise Testing & Prescription Principles

Question 1

Graded Exercise Testing

Answer 1

monitors BP, HR, ECG and/or VO2 while incrementally increasing workload

General Guidelines:
1-2 min warm up
HR, BP & RPE taken at regular intevals
Stage ends once steady state HR is achieved
conclude w/ cool down

Can be maximal or submaximal, varying different protocols & equipment

Question 2

Submaximal testing general rule for predicting VO2

Answer 2

will UNDER predict in the older & deconditioned subjects & OVER predict in the young & healthy subjects

Question 3

Prediction of VO2 max based on 5 assumptions

Answer 3

1. linear relationship between HR & VO2
2. MHR at a given age is uniform
3. HR at given workload varies according to fitness level of subject (will be lower in trained individual)
4. a steady state HR is achieved at each workload
5. Mechanical efficienty is uniform

Question 4

Measurement of Maximal Testing

- how to measure indirect calorimetry

Answer 4

Direct calorimetry - measures heat expenditure

Indirect calorimetry - more common - uses RER to calculate energy expenditure

• -> Resting RER = 0.78 - 0.80
• -> Max exercise = 1.05 - 1.15

HOW?
O2 in ambient air MINUS O2 in expired air = L/min
Multiple by 1000 for mL
Divide by body weight in kg

Question 5

Criteria for Maximal Effort (5)

Answer 5

1. Plateau in VO2 w/ increasing workload
2. RER >/= 1.15
3. Blood lactate level >/= 8mmol/L
4. MHR
5. RPE

Question 6

Assumptions for Maximal Testing (3)

Answer 6

1. test progresses until subject reaches volitional exhaustion
2. subject is motivated and able
3. VO2 max. vs VO2 peak
   - peak means patient is self limited & stopped before actually reaching their max

Question 7

Intensity based on HRR, VO2 or RPE

Answer 7

Light = 30-40% HRR, 9-11 RPE
Moderate = 40-60%, 12-13 RPE
Vigorous = 60-90% HR, 14-16 RPE