A Comparison of VO2 Max Testing of 3 Methods, Lab Report Example

Abstract

This lab report is based on the comparison of testing VO­­2 max which comprises of Jackson et al. equation 1990. This lab report also includes the Modified Incremental SRT test and the Astrand-Rhyming Cycle test within the population of students. The data analysed comprises of 16 students with different subject characteristics that impacts the results of VO2 max in all three tests. These characteristics are height (m), Age, BMI, Mass, gender, Diastolic BP, Resting BGlu, TCL and Sub groups etc. The data will be analysed with the help of SPSS using descriptive stats and measuring the confidence interval. Then the data will be compared using the 3 different methods used. Once the data is calculated and analysed, the graphs will be interpreted and which will show the comparison of each method with another. The results portion will explain and analyse the data and from these findings the conclusion will be based. In the end, the theoretical implications of this lab report and VO2 max procedure will be described along with the limitation of the study involved using these 3 methods.

Introduction

This lab report is based on the comparison of testing VO­­2 max which comprises of Jackson et al. equation 1990. This lab report also includes the Modified Incremental SRT test and the Astrand-Rhyming Cycle test within the population of students. VO­­2 max is the criteria that is accepted and is the cardiorespiratory measure of fitness (CRF) according to guidelines of ASCMS. This paper aims to compare the maximal aerobic testing and the sub-maximal value to calculate VO­­2 max. There are various sub-maximal and maximal tests for VO­­2 max calculation. However, this paper will compare the 3 tests mentioned. One is the JSC NASA Aerobic Capacity prediction (Also called as Jackson et al. equation. Other is the Cycle Test of Astrand Rhyming and the last is the SRT Incremental Modified Test. The nature of the report is a Comparative study which statistically analyses the results of these 3 methods and compare them. These 3 tests are compared against each other. The lab report also aims to compare the proximity and the consistency of the results between each test.

In order to begin the lab report, first of all the background of the research is necessary. VO­­2 max is an oxygen uptake that is maximal and is the sole factor that identifies the capacity of the athlete to perform an exercise that is sustained and it is in relation with the endurance of aerobics (Yamamoto et al, 2014). This refers to the oxygen amount that can be individualized during the maximal and intense exercise. The values are indicated in ‘millimetres of oxygen’ that are used in body weight of one kg. This measure is considered as the best from of measuring the cardiovascular fitness of the athletes and the endurance of aerobics (Elliott et al, 2015).  Theoretically, there is a high level of oxygen required in high level of exercise. So, there is more ATP produced. This is mostly the case with endurance elite athletes which has high values typically of VO­­2 max.

Methods

This part of the paper includes the apparatus used, characteristics, procedures, protocols and the statistical analysis done for this report. VO­­2 max should not be linked with the anaerobic or lactate threshold which refers to the exhaustive point duration and lactate build ups of all out exercise. Athletes are substantially able to increase often their AT with proper training. For this they exercise at large intensities. In order to measure VO­­2 max accurately, a strict and tight protocol is used in the performance sports lab (Elliott et al, 2015).  The protocols comprises of specific increase in the intensity and speed of collection and exercise. This also comprises of the oxygen concentration and the volume exhaled and inhaled in the air. This shows the amount of oxygen used by the athlete. The oxygen consumption of the athletes increases in a relationship that is linear. This is judge with the point of intense exercise (Yamamoto et al, 2014). There is a general area at which the consumption of oxygen are plateaued although if the intensity of energy increases. The point where athlete moves from metabolism aerobic to anaerobic metabolism is very painful. Because at this point, there is not muscle fatigue that is impacting the athletes to cease training. The VO­­2 max usually takes 15 minutes and needs the athletes to be motivated and rested completely to withstand the pain in order to find out their true VO­­2 max.

There are different protocols used to measure the test. This test is called the Treadmill Bruce Test. But in this paper we will use the 3 tests and compare. One is the JSC NASA Aerobic Capacity prediction (Also called as Jackson et al. equation. Other is the Cycle Test of Astrand Rhyming and the last is the SRT Incremental Modified Test. The data analysed comprises of 16 students with different subject characteristics that impacts the results of VO2 max in all three tests. These characteristics are height (m), Age, BMI, Mass, gender, Diastolic BP, Resting BGlu, TCL and Sub groups etc. The data will be analysed with the help of SPSS using descriptive stats and measuring the confidence interval.

Results

The results shows that although there is a genetic component of VO2 max which can ve enhanced with the help of training. There are 2 methods that are used for enhancing the VO2 max. One is the increase in the intensity and training volume. The research also shows that there also involves a fitness test. This is that the less fit the sports person, the more likely he will experience high VO2 max with the help of training. In fact, the sports person who are novice are able to enhance the VO2 max by 20 percent with the help of training.  It is indicated by the research that the component of genetics of VO2 max can be enhanced with the help of training. There are 2 procedures that enhances the VO2 max which are intensity and volume. It is shown by the research that the fit the individual, the more chance he has of increasing through training the max VO2. It is a fact that the sports person who are novice are able to enhance the VO2 max by training properly.

The athletes that are fit experiences tough time in enhancing their levels of max VO2 due to the nearness in the potential of their genetics. Apart from the factors of genetics, there are 3 major components with which the VO2 max influence is increased. One is the Age factor, other is the Gender and the third is the altitude. Age is varied greatly by training programs and sports persons. In general, the VO2 max is highest at the age group of 20 and decreased when the age group is between 65. The other component that impacts is the gender part which indicates that females have a higher VO2 max than men. This is because of the composition and body size, haemoglobin and blood volume. The VO2 max of the women in general is more than 20percent to that of VO2 max of men. The last component is the altitude. The higher the altitude the lesser the oxygen. This means that an athlete will generally feel the decrease of 5 percent with the altitude being 5000 gain in ft.

In the data we can see that there are 7 females and 9 males. Around 13 people lies in the age group of 20 which shows an increased VO2 max levels. We can see that VO2 max differs in different methods. It varies greatly because of the average individual being sedentary. Tis shows the result being at 35 ml/kg/min. The endurance elite of the athletes averages to that of 70 ml/kg/min.  The findings of the report shows that the highest recorded VO2 max is (55.76 ml/kg/min) that was of Kang Sujeevan in the method of Jackson et al equation. The largest value of VO2 max in the method of measured VO2 max is 60 ml/kg/min which came out for Webber Travis. Whereas, in the method of Rhyming Scale Astrand, the VO2 max results are lower. The highest is that of Demetrio Christina.

Discussion

The students selected for this lab report are athletes and as they are engaged in major muscles building exercise, they need excellent method of physical fitness and endurance of muscles. This is the reason why the sports person have higher oxygen uptakes (VO2 max).This is inked with the Oxygen Uptake that is maximal and is the function predominately impacting the cardiac output (Astorino et al, 2014). This indicates that how much blood can be pumped by the heart. There is a central limitation involved in the maximal uptake of oxygen. This is due to the function of stoke volume and the cardiac output. This can also be because of the more blood being pumped in the heart in a beat. The volume stroke shows the end diastolic volume and this can be completely empty as well. Both the end systolic and diastolic volumes results in the size, number and strength of the muscle fibres. These are impacted by the blood volume which is large, dilation fo the arteries and he pericardium size. This is a non-elastic sack that is around the heart which may limit the possible filling of VO2 max. The lings are also used as the factor that is limiting to the case of altitude, disease of the possibility of huge workloads.

Explanation of findings

The consumption of the Oxygen is considered the measuring standard of the intensity of exercise physiologically. If the rate of heart is the tachometer, then the consumption of oxygen is how much the mile per gas is needed to achieve the burning at specific speed. In the athletes of Sports physiology, the success depends largely on the body ability to uptake oxygen. The more oxygen the body pumps in the more muscles will work. This will enhance the supply of energy into the body to make it travel fact over distance (Elliott et al, 2015).  The students having higher VO2 max are the one considered to be more capable of up taking high oxygen. This is because of their genetics and the foundation of genes which are built by the powerhouse aerobics. This is usually done is many years of training in the sport that wants a high output of aerobics.

Limitation of study

As we can see from the results of the sports Exercise Physiology indicates that the elite athletes have more VO2 max values. This goes to around 60 ml/kg/min.  However, the limitation of the study is that this alone is not the elite performance guarantee. There are a lot of other factors involves which may indicate the potential of athletes and its aerobic endurance excellence. Most of these factors are not included in the data analysis. One is the Physiological preparation of the athletes, skills training, Lactate Threshold training, nutrition and rest and recovery.

References

Astorino, T. A., McMillan, D. W., Edmunds, R. M., & Sanchez, E. (2014). Increased cardiac output elicits higher VO2max in response to self-paced exercise. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, (ja).

Ekblom?Bak, E., Björkman, F., Hellenius, M. L., & Ekblom, B. (2014). A new submaximal cycle ergometer test for prediction of VO2max. Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports, 24(2), 319-326.

Elliott, A. D., Skowno, J., Prabhu, M., Noakes, T. D., & Ansley, L. (2015). Evidence of cardiac functional reserve upon exhaustion during incremental exercise to determine VO2max. British journal of sports medicine, 49(2), 128-132.

Yamamoto, J., Harada, T., Okada, A., Maemura, Y., Yamamoto, M., & Tabira, K. (2014). Difference in Physiological Components of VO2 Max During Incremental and Constant Exercise Protocols for the Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test. Journal of physical therapy science, 26(8), 1283.