Aerobic capacity test Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Aerobic capacity test - Essay Example Maximal oxygen uptake is also known as maximal oxygen consumption, maximal aerobic power, aerobic capacity, or VO2 max. The maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) is a measure of a person's capacity to take in and utilise oxygen during exercise. A subject with a greater VO2 max value will be more likely to sustain high intensity exercise for a longer period. Theoretically, subjects with greater VO2 max values possess greater concentrations of hemoglobin in the blood, thus enabling them to utilise more oxygen during intense exercise (McArdle, Katch, & Katch, 2001; Mierke, 2003). However, there are several factors that may have an affect on maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max). These factors include mode of exercise (i.e., treadmill exercise, cycle ergometry, arm crank, swimming, or bench stepping), heredity, gender, age, body size and composition, and state of training (McArdle, Katch, & Katch, 2001; Mierke, 2003).Aerobic capacity is measured in the laboratory using a graded exercise test du ring which the rate of oxygen uptake is measured continually using sophisticated equipment. A graded exercise test is a test typically administered on a treadmill or cycle ergometer in which the intensity of exercise is increasingly increased. The rate of aerobic metabolism and oxygen uptake increases as intensity of exercise increases up to the point at which the aerobic capacity is reached. At this point, even though the exercise intensity can be increased, the oxygen uptake no longer increases proportionally, and there is a plateau in the relation of the rate of oxygen uptake to work rate (exercise intensity).The rate of oxygen uptake at the plateau is aerobic capacity (Cureton and Plowman, n.d.). The main disadvantage of this type of test is that is technically demanding, requiring costly equipment and highly-trained technicians.Furthermore, it is time consuming; a test requires about 30 minutes and only one subject can be tested at any given time. Thus, the direct measurement of aerobic capacity is not possible or practical for most field settings, such as schools where large numbers of people must be tested (Cureton and Plowman, n.d.). The Bruce Treadmill Test is one of the most popular laboratory treadmill test protocols used in obtaining VO2 max measurements. The test consists of seven 3-minute stages, in which most subjects are able to walk the first three stages. During each stage, a set percent treadmill grade and speed is obtained. During the test, the subjects' breathing and heart rates are monitored through the use of respiratory and metabolic/gas equipment along with heart rate monitors. Subjects' heart rates are recorded every minute while the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) is recorded every three minutes. Validity correlation coefficients of .90 and .91 have been reported between VO2 max and the 12 min run. A lower correlation has been reported between VO2 max and the 1.5 Mile Run (-.74). The test-retest reliability of maximal oxygen consumption tests is high (i.e., .95 - .99) (Mierke, 2003).The main advantage of this test is that it is a direct measurement of maximal oxygen consumption. However, ther e are quite a few disadvantages with this test including degree of difficulty, cost and sensitivity of equipment, and the need for highly-trained te