Intro to fitness testing and VO2max test Flashcards
Aerobic capacity is vital component for performance in sporting events lasting longer than ……… that predominantly rely on …………………. production
3 mins and aerobic energy
Testing loop ……
- Testing (benchmark characteristics, in line with the physiological demands of the sport)
- Analysis (efficient & accurate processing of data)
- Feedback (visual/verbal feedback to coach/athlete)
- Inform (guide training focus and intensities to optimise and individualise training stimulus)
THEN REPEAT
What is cardiorespiratory fitness?
Refers to the interactions between the heart and the lungs to maximise performance and recovery
What defines an individuals cardiorespiratory fitness?
The ability of an individual to perform strenuous tasks for a prolonged period of time
Define VO2max/peak
Maximal rate of oxygen consumption
Name example cardiorespiratory fitness test which can be used to compare individual scores to population norms
Bleep test, step test
Submaximal prediction tests are commonly used on what population?
Older populations and clinical populations - typically performed on treadmills walking
What measure can directly measure cardiorespiratory fitness?
This is done by doing a maximal oxygen consumption test near to or at exhaustion.
What do higher VO2max scores indicate?
A greater ability to sustain aerobic work at a higher intensity for a longer time
Positives of controlled laboratory test?
Can obtain a very accurate reading of VO2max
Limitations of laboratory testing
Requires equipment
Needs expertise and experience to perform
Can only test one person at a time (time consuming)
Positives of field based testing
Can test an entire team
Time efficient
Example; bleep test
Limitations of field based testing
Do not actually measure VO2 max but predicts based on indirect measures
Definition of Reliability
How repeatable or consistent results are
What is validity?
Whether the test you have chosen to perform is measuring the thing you want it to measure.
E.g. choice of modality (treadmill, bike, swimming)
What types of populations must you consider when testing?
whether you are testing athletes, general populations, clinical populations etc…
What is VO2max determined by?
Genetics and how well trained the systems are.
How do you verify that VO2max has been reached?
The gold standard for verification is a plateau in oxygen consumption despite the continued increase in work rate.
Most individuals cannot achieve an O2 consumption plateau during an incremental exercise test; so secondary criteria to confirm VO2max are:
Reaching age-predicted max heart rate (+/- 10 bpm)
Achieving blood lactate concentration of 8 mmol/L or higher
Attaining a respiratory exchange ratio of 1.15 or higher
Verification test (individual performs another exercise test after a period of recovery, aiming for a higher intensity in the last stage)
Elite athletes typically have values of ……… for females and …….. for males
60+ and 70+ ml/kg/min
What is the correlation between VO2 max and endurance performance and how it changes in the elite?
There is a positive correlation between VO2max and endurance performance; however, this relationship becomes weaker in well-trained athletes.
Is VO2max trainable in elite endurance athletes?
It is trainable, but not to the same effect as a recreation athlete as elite athletes have already maximised most adaptation which can increase VO2max.
Performance often improves independent of VO2max at an elite level, so what needs to be improved?
Running economy
Lactate threshold
Anaerobic capacity
The speed at which VO2max is elicited is a stronger predictor of …………… than ……….., particularly true for ………….. events which work at ~………….. VO2max.
Endurance performance, VO2max, middle-distance, 95-120%
