Prediction of Power and VO2max Using the Five Minute Pyramid Test

Discussion Questions:

Q1: Research at least five different methods for estimating V02max. List and describe each.

Method 1: Bruce Protocol. Where “T” represents the total minutes on the treadmill represented as a decimal:

The formula for men is: VO2 max = 14.8 - (1.379 x T) + (0.451 x T²) - (0.012 x T³)

The formula for women is: VO2 max = 4.38 x T - 3.9 (Bruce, 1972, n.p.)

Method 2: Heart Rate Ratio Method. This method is calculated on the maximum heart rate (HR max) divided by the resting heart rate (HR rest) with a conversion factor of ~15 as follows:

HR max

VO2 max = 15

HR rest (Uth et al., 2004, p. 114).

Method 3: Balke Protocol. Where “T” represents the total minutes on the running represented as a decimal:

The formula for men is: VO2 max = 1.444(T) + 14.99

The formula for women is: VO2 max = 1.38(T) + 5.22 (Balke, 1963, p. 1)

Method 4: Bleep Test. Where participants complete a 20-meter run and “vel” is equal to the maximum speed of the runner:

Predicted VO2 max = (6.0 × vel) - 24.4 (Leger & Lambert, 1982, p. 5)

Method 5: Flouris Test. Where participants complete a 20-meter run and “vel” is equal to the maximum speed of the runner:

VO2 max = (vel × 6.65 - 35.8) × 0.95 + 0.182

Q2: Research average V02max (l/m and ml/kg/min) of male and female adults, trained and untrained. List values and corresponding references in a table and compare them to your result.

(Tables 1-4 omitted for preview. Available via download)

Q3: Several factors can affect V02max. Research and develop a list of at least five factors that impact the level of V02 max.

There are several factors that impact the level of VO2 max. According to Noakes (2003), these include age (decreases with age), diuretic use, gender (lower for women than men), level of fitness training (increases with training), anaerobic capacity, changes in altitude (lower in higher altitudes) and ventilatory muscle action (p. 41-45).

Q4: List your estimate and those of three other lab members. Explain what may have contributed to each of the estimates for each person.

Conclusion/Summary:

This lab reviewed the effect of power on VO2 max. In exploring several methods to estimate VO2 max, we noted the differences between men and women. After measuring pre-test and post-test heart rates and completing a 5 Minute Pyramid Test, the group was able to compare its results to that of the average male and female. In general, the results were found to be comparable to the norm.

References

Balke, B. (1963). A simple field test for the assessment of physical fitness. Civil Aeromedical Research Institute, 1, 1-8.

Bruce, R. (1972). Multi-stage treadmill test of maximal and sub maximal exercise. Exercise testing and training of apparently healthy individuals: A handbook for physicians. Chairman: A.A. Kattus. New York: American Heart Association.

Flouris, A.D., Metsios, G. S., & Koutedakis, Y. (2005). Enhancing the efficacy of the 20 m multistage shuttle run test. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 39, 166–170.

Heyward, V. (1998). Advance Fitness Assessment & Exercise Prescription. Dallas, TX: Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research.

Leger, L., & Lambert, J. (1982). A maximal multistage 20 m shuttle run test to predict VO2 max. European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology, 49(1), 1-12.

Noakes, T. (2003). Lore of running (4th ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Swain, D. P., Parrott, J. A., Bennett, A. R., Branch, J. D., & Dowling, E. A. (2004). Validation of a new method for estimating VO2max based on VO2 reserve. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 36(8), 1421-1426.

Uth, N., Sørensen, H., Overgaard, K., & Pedersen, P. K. (2004). Estimation of VO2max from the ratio between HRmax and HRrest – the Heart Rate Ratio Method. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 91(1), 111-115.

Wilmore, J.H., & Costill, D.L. (2005) Physiology of Sport and Exercise. 3rd ed. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.