KINS-153 Cardiovascular Testing and Exercise Prescription

Submaximal Exercise Testing and Estimation of VO2 max

Introduction:
Submaximal testing is an effective method of predicting VO2 max. Submaximal tests use the linear
relationship between HR and workload/VO2 to predict VO2 max. The YMCA is one submaximal exercise
test that is commonly used in fitness settings. In order for submaximal exercise test to be valid, a steady state
heart rate needs to be measured across at least 2 workloads (a range of >110 BPM - 85% of HRmax).

Submaximal exercise tests make several assumptions, some of which are not correct, and this leads to errors
in predicting VO2 max. The assumptions are as follows:
1) Steady state HR is attained for each workload
2) Linear relationship exists between HR and VO2 or Work Rate
3) The maximum HR formula is valid for a given age and sex (SD + 10-12 BPM)
4) Mechanical efficiency (VO2 for a given workload) is uniform for all subjects
5) Subject is not on medications or supplements that alter HR
6) The maximal work is indicative of the maximal VO2

The purpose of our laboratory today is to become familiar with submaximal exercise procedures to estimate
VO2 max – YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) Physical Working Capacity Test. Additionally, it
will serve as an introduction to metabolic calculations for estimating oxygen consumption, assessing
cardiovascular fitness and exercise prescription.

PROCEDURES
Equipment - Monark bike, ECG, BP and Stopwatch.
1) First calculate your subject’s predicted HR max using the following formula:
HRmax = 220 - ______Age = ________ (+12 bpm)
Or
use this equation for adults older than 50 or younger than 20
HRmax=208-(0.7xage in years) =_______(+10 bpm)
2) Next calculate 85% of HR max = _______HR max x (0.85) = ________
or use the Karvonen formula = ({[____HR max –_____Rest HR]*0.85} + ____resting HR) = _________
4) Place subject on bike and adjust seat accordingly to where leg is almost straight.
5) Have subject do a light warm-up for about 0.5 kg at 50 RPM for 2-3 minutes.
7) After the warm-up, have subject rest for 3 min.
8) For each stage, HR should be measured manually during the end of the 2nd min and 3rd min of each stage.
9) Also, the HR measured each stage should be within 5 beats/min. If not extend the stage until you obtain 2
HRs within 5 Beats/min.
10) Follow the protocol until the subject reaches 85% of HR max.
11) For the test to be valid there at least needs to be 2 HR measurements within 110 –150 bpm.
12) Record HRs, BP, RPE, Signs and Symptoms for each Workload!
13) Be familiar with submaximal test criteria see Box 4-4 and Test Termination criteria Box 4-5
13) The protocol is outlined below:
1st Stage = 0.5 kg @ 50 RPM = 150 kpm/min for 3 min
HR < 80 HR 80-89 HR 90-100 HR > 100
nd
2 2.5kg x 50rpm 2.0kg x 50rpm 1.5kg x 50rpm 1kg x 50rpm
Stage 750 kgm/min 600 kgm/min 450 kgm/min 300 kgm/min
rd
3 3.0kg x 50 rpm 2.5kg x 50rpm 2.0kg x 50rpm 1.5 kg x 50rpm
Stage 900 kgm/min 750 kgm/min 600 kgm/min 450 kgm/min
th
4 3.5kg x 50rpm 3.0 kg x 50rpm 2.5kg x 50 rpm 2.0kg x 50 rpm
Stage 1050 kgm/min* 900 kgm/min* 750 kgm/min* 600 kgm/min*
*If the subject has a high fitness proceed by adding 0.5 kg every 3 minutes until you reach 85% of HRmax.
14) After the end of the test, have your subject do a light active recovery.
15) If your subject shows signs of distress do a passive cool down.
16) Record all observations (HR, BP, RPE, Signs and Symptoms) for at least 4 min after exercise unless
abnormal responses occur which would require a longer observation period.

DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULTS

1) Convert your workloads to VO2 using the equation below:
VO2 (mL/min/kg) = (10.8 x ___watts ÷___weight kg) + 7 = _______________mL/min/kg
or
VO2 (mL/min/kg) = (1.8 x ___kgm/min) ÷ ___weight kg + 7 = _______________mL/min/kg
2) Plot HR versus Power and VO2.
3) Extrapolate the HR versus VO2 linear relationship by drawing a line of best fit through data points.
4) Draw a line down from where the extrapolated line crosses the predicted HR max
5) Where this line crosses is the predicted Workload and VO2 max for your subject.
Workload:______________Kpm/min VO2max=_______________ml/min/kg
7) Plot RPE vs %VO2 max for each workload.

DISCUSSION
1) Can a person reach an RPE of 20 during a submaximal exercise test? Explain your answer!
2) Determine your subjects cardiovascular fitness based upon normative tables (Ch 4)? What normative
values put a person at risk for cardiovascular disease?
3) Based on the normative table, what would be your recommendations for the subject? Be sure to mention
a recommended “ideal VO2 max” where health benefits are realized.
4) Outline an exercise prescription for your subject to improve or maintain VO2 max (Ch.7). Be sure to list
4 different ways you can recommend exercise intensity and include all basic components of an
exercise prescription using the data you obtained from this test.
5) What is your interpretation of the BP and HR response during rest, exercise and recovery? Please
explain the changes in BP and HR? What accounts for these changes?
 HUMAN PERFORMANCE LABORATORY
EXERCISE DATA COLLECTION SHEET

Name____________________ Age___________ Gender___________ Date_________

Ht__________ cm Wt___________ kg Predicted MaxHR____________ Treadmill_____ Cycle Ergometer______

Stage Duration Time Speed/RPM Grade/KP Heart Rate RPE BP

REST 0 0 0 0 ________ _______ _____

1 __min _____ _____ _____ ________ _______ _____

2 __min _____ _____ _____ ________ _______ _____

3 __min _____ _____ _____ ________ _______ _____

4 __min _____ _____ _____ ________ _______ _____

5 __min _____ _____ _____ ________ _______ _____

6 __min _____ _____ _____ ________ _______ _____

7 __min _____ _____ _____ ________ _______ _____

8 __min _____ _____ _____ ________ _______ _____

9 __min _____ _____ _____ ________ _______ _____

10 __min _____ _____ _____ ________ _______ _____

End __min _____ _____ _____ ________ _______ _____

Recovery

2min ________ _______ _____

4min ________ _______ _____

6 min ________ _______ _____

EXERCISE SIGNS/SYMPTOMS______________________________________________________________________

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POST EXERCISE EVENTS___________________________________________________________________________

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COMMENTS________________________________________________________________________________________

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