Throughout the semester, we have tested and evaluated several techniques used to assess cardiovascular fitness. Cardiovascular fitness is an important concept because it is a representation of the heart, lungs, and vascular system’s ability to work together in providing oxygen to the working muscle so physical work can be maintained. Physical inactivity and poor cardiovascular fitness are associated with several health concerns including cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes which can lead to higher morbidity and mortality rates.
By testing cardiovascular fitness, these health risks can be identified and addressed before they are turned into greater problems. The techniques we used this semester include aerobic field tests, semi-laboratory tests, step tests, and laboratory VO2 max tests. Each technique required a different application, and had its own list of advantages and disadvantages which I will further discuss.
The first technique, aerobic field testing, includes the Rockport 1 Mile Walking Test, the Cooper 1.5 Mile Test, and the 12 Minute Cooper Test. The Rockport Fitness Walking Test is a fairly simple and safe method used for determining VO2 max, or aerobic capacity. Aerobic capacity indicates the maximum rate that the respiratory, cardiovascular, and muscular systems can take in, transport, and use oxygen during exercise. This reflects the body’s ability to provide energy to the muscles using oxygen. The higher the number, the more aerobically fit a person is considered. To perform this test, the subject walks one mile as fast as they can and stops the stopwatch as soon as the mile is completed. The subject should take their pulse while continuing to walk, but at a slower pace and record their time and heart ra...
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... on the time spent on the test in minutes. For a “good” score on this test, the subject would take 9-15 minutes to complete. To calculate VO2 max, the formulas are as follows: men = 1.444 (T) + 14.99 and women = 1.38 (T) + 5.22. The Balke Protocol is a good test for cardiac patients because it is considered safe and performed at a moderate workload. However, this technique is fairly costly and takes a considerable amount of time to set up and conduct.
In closing, the assessment of cardiovascular fitness has proven to be an important tool in identifying various cardiovascular health risks, and each one of the previously discussed techniques has a common theme of being a predictor of those health issues. Considering the differences in the techniques, no one technique is necessarily better than the other. The test’s effectiveness mainly depends on the target subject.
Both tests are very useful for assessing the pulmonary and cardiac system health of the individual being examined. This involves examining the individual’s response to the test by assessing their BP, HR, oxygen intake abilities, and using this information to infer whether they have some type of internal impairment. This includes
In this lab, we estimated the VO2 max for one subject on both the arm bike and treadmill. Estimating VO2 max is relevant because it allows the subject to compare their results with normal limits for their age and gender and see where they fall. It can also be used to make an exercise prescription in order to improve or keep a closer eye on your bodies own personal limits. Lastly, estimated VO2 max can be used as a diagnostic test to acquire information about a person’s health.
This lab experiment was conducted in a Texas Woman’s University exercise physiology lab room, on September 20, 2013. It consisted of two main participants: A trained participant (Male; 30 years old; 72 in. tall; 82.9 kg) and an untrained participant (Female; 20 years old; 65 in. tall; 75 kg). They were selected by my Prof. April Hartman to participate because they were best qualified to conduct the study in our class. Both participants were assigned to carry out the same experimental task. The Bruce Protocol (graded test) on a treadmill (mode of exercise) was used to conduct the VO2max test. The materials needed were: 1 metabolic cart (with computers); 2 mouthpieces; 1 nose clip; 1 treadmill; 1 RPE scale; 1 timer; pen; paper; and a HR monitor.
The step test was conducted in the lab room. The first participant measured her pulse rate for 30 seconds before starting the exercise. Her pulse rate was calculated to determine the number of beats per minute. She then stepped on the platform (up and down) and continued at a...
Why do we need to exercise? With out exercise many of our bodies arteries in the cardiovascular system can become clogged and bring on much unwanted cardiovascular diseases. Exercising regularly helps us maintain a healthy weight if already fi...
7. Sae Young, J., Heffernan, K., Fernhall, B., & Yoon-Ho, C. (2012). Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Carotid Artery Intima Media Thickness in Men With Type 2 Diabetes. Journal Of Physical Activity & Health, 9(4), 549-553.
Since 1960 the age-adjusted mortality rates for cardiovascular disease (CVD) has declined steadily in the U.S. due to multiple factors, but still remains one of the primary causes of morbidity and premature mortality worldwide. Greater control of risk factors and improved treatments for cardiovascular disease has significantly contributed to this decline (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011). In the U.S. alone it claims approximately 830,000 each year and accounts for 1/6 of all deaths under the age of 65 (Weiss and Lonnquist, 2011). Based on the 2007 mortality rate data an average of 1 death every 37 seconds is due to cardiovascular disease (Lloyd-Jones et al., 2009). Controlling and reducing risk factors is crucial for saving lives. There are a number of contributing risk factors for cardiovascular disease, which may appear in the form of hereditary, behavioral, and psychological, all of which ultimately converge in social or cultural factors.
Thompson, P. D., Buchner, D., Pina, I. L., Balady, G. J., Williams, M. A., Marcus, B. H., ... Wenger, N. K. (2003). Exercise in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: a statement from the Council on Clinical Cardiology. Journal of the American Heart Association, 3110-3116. http://dx.doi.org/doi: 10.1161/01.CIR.0000075572.40158.77
The Queens College/McArdle Step Test, the Rockport One Mile Walk Test, and the 1.5 Mile Run Test are three different field tests that were performed in this lab that were used to measure and predict an individual’s aerobic capacity. The measurement of aerobic capacity, or VO2 max, is a valid way to assess an individual’s cardiorespiratory fitness level. VO2 max refers to the maximal amount of oxygen an individual utilizes during intensive exercise. A higher VO2 max demonstrates a more efficient cardiorespiratory system as an individual with a higher VO2 max can sustain a higher intensity for a longer
To determine if the intensity of exercise affects the heart rate of a 15-year-old boy. Apparatus - 2 stopwatches - 1 laptop (beep test) - 1 fire glass tape (min. 20 meters) - Chalk to mark 20 meters (start to finish). Method 1) Get beep test ready on laptop from - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0U_yQITBks - 2) Bring five male subjects ready at the starting line to run the beep test. 3) Mark 20 meters on the ground outside on the AstroTurf using a long tape.
The American Medical Women's Association. Guide to Cardiovascular Health, New York, NY: Dell Publishing, 2009.
AIM: - the aim of this experiment is to find out what the effects of exercise are on the heart rate. And to record these results in various formats. VARIABLES: - * Type of exercise * Duration of exercise * Intensity of exercise * Stage of respiration
The two major things that will help an athlete while measuring the cardiovascular drift are progression and hydration levels. The heart rate of an athlete working hard during a workout should be no more than their maximum heart rate which is found by, if you’re a female take 226-age, if you’re a male take 220-age. If while doing a workout the maximum heart rate is exceeded by too much it may be necessary to take a break or slow down greatly. This may also help with traking the hydration of an athlete. If an athlete stays hydrated their core temperature will stay regulated which means they won’t sweat as much, which also means the heart won’t be under as much stress while transporting the oxygenated blood throughout the body to the
Investigating the Effect of Exercise on the Heart Rate Introduction For it's size the heart has the huge capacity of pumping large amounts of blood, in the average adult's heart beats 60 to 100 times a minute, pumps between 70ml and 100ml of blood with each beat, circulates 5 to 6 litres of blood around the body per minute and about 13 litres of blood per minute during vigorous exercise. The heart will beat more then 2.5 billion times during an average lifetime. This investigation will be looking at the effect of exercise on the heart rate. Aim The aim of this investigation is to find out how exercise affects the heart rate, using research & experimenting on changes and increases in the heart rate using exercise. Research â— The heart The normal heart is a strong, hardworking pump made of muscle tissue.
Cardiovascular fitness can also be known as cardiovascular endurance, aerobic fitness and cardiovascular respiratory fitness. In order to increase your cardiovascular conditioning you have to practice active high energy activities or active sporting activities which can be of enough intensity for getting your heartbeat into your target heart rate zone. A great little free calculator for working out your heart-rate zone can be fount at: http://exercise.about.com/cs/fitnesstools/l/bl_THR.htm