ACE Personal Trainer Manual

5th Edition
Chapter 8: Physiological Assessments
Lesson 8.2
 LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After completing this session, you will be

able to:
Discuss the various assessments of
cardiorespiratory fitness, and the
appropriateness of each
Demonstrate and evaluate the results of
various cardiorespiratory fitness
assessments:
o Cycle ergometer test
o Ventilatory threshold testing
o Field tests
o Step test

2014 ACE
 CARDIORESPIRATORY FITNESS (CRF) TESTING

CRF how well the body performs dynamic activity

using large muscle groups at a moderate-to-high
intensity for extended periods of time:
Valuable in assessing overall health
Depends on the efficiency and interrelationship of the
cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal systems
Exercise testing for CRF is useful to:
Determine functional capacity, using predetermined
formulas based on age, gender, and body weight
Determine a level of cardiorespiratory function [maximal
oxygen uptake (VO2max) or metabolic equivalent (MET)
level] to serve as a starting point
Determine underlying cardiorespiratory abnormalities
that signify progressive stages of cardiovascular disease
Periodically reassess progress following a structured
fitness program
2014 ACE
 VO2MAX AND CRF

VO2max:
An estimation of the bodys ability to use oxygen
for energy
Closely related to the functional capacity of the
heart
An excellent measure of cardiorespiratory
efficiency
Involves the collection and analysis of exhaled
air during maximal exercise in a laboratory
Submaximal CRF tests are more appropriate in
a fitness setting:
Provide accurate values that can be extrapolated
to determine expected maximal efforts
2014 ACE
Maximal effort is not appropriate for all
 CARDIORESPIRATORY ASSESSMENTS

Labs typically provide a controlled environment:

Generally a more private setting
Constant temperature
Equipment is centrally located for easy test
administration
Graded exercise test (GXT):
Directly measures maximum heart rate (MHR) with an
electrocardiogram (EKG) monitoring device
Typically uses a treadmill, cycle ergometer, or arm
ergometer
In a clinical setting, GXT is performed to maximal
exertion and terminated when:
The client can no longer tolerate the activity
Signs or symptoms arise that warrant termination
The client achieves a predetermined age-predicted MHR
2014 ACE
 MAXIMAL OXYGEN UPTAKE (ML/KG/MIN): MEN

2014 ACE
 MAXIMAL OXYGEN UPTAKE (ML/KG/MIN):
WOMEN

2014 ACE
 CYCLE ERGOMETER TESTING

Used to estimate VO2max without maximal

exertion:
Advantages:
Performed in a controlled environment
Stationary cycles are easy to maintain and
portable
Easier to measure exercise heart rate (HR) and
blood pressure (BP) because the arms are
relatively stationary
Suitable for those with balance problems or
unfamiliarity with a treadmill
Disadvantages:
Clients may not be used to cycling; the test may
underestimate the clients actual CRF due to
premature leg fatigue
Exercise BP may be higher (than if using a
2014 ACE
treadmill test)
 YMCA BIKE TEST

Measures HR response to incremental,

three-minute workloads that progressively
elicit higher HR responses:
Immediate post-exercise HR (HRss)
responses are plotted on a graph against
workloads performed
As exercise HR correlates to a VO2 score, the
HR response line is extended to determine:
Maximal effort (i.e., MHR)
An estimate of VO2max

2014 ACE
 YMCA BIKE TEST PROTOCOL

2014 ACE
 HEART-RATE RESPONSE TO CYCLING

2014 ACE
 VENTILATORY THRESHOLD TESTING

As exercise intensity increases, ventilation

increases somewhat linearly.
At certain intensities, metabolic changes occur in
the body.
First ventilatory threshold (VT1):
Represents the intensity where blood lactate
accumulates faster than it can be cleared
This causes faster breathing to blow off the extra CO2
produced by the buffering of acid metabolites.
Second ventilatory threshold (VT2):
Occurs where lactate rapidly increases with intensity
Represents hyperventilation relative to the extra CO2
being produced
Blowing off CO2 is no longer adequate to buffer the
2014 ACE
 VENTILATORY EFFECTS DURING AEROBIC
EXERCISE

2014 ACE
 SUBMAXIMAL TALK TEST FOR VT1

Test objectives:
Measure the HR response at VT1 by
progressively increasing exercise intensity
and achieving steady state at each stage,
and
Identify the HR where the ability to talk
continuously becomes compromised
VT1 represents:
The intensity where the individual can
continue to talk while breathing with
minimal discomfort
An associated increase in tidal volume that
should not compromise breathing rate or
the ability to talk
Progressing beyond this point where
2014 ACE
 VT2 THRESHOLD TEST

Onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA):

Historically refers to the lactate threshold or anaerobic
threshold, and corresponds with VT2
Occurs when blood lactate accumulates at rates faster
than the body can buffer and remove it
Represents an exponential increase in the concentration
of blood lactate, indicating an exercise intensity that can
no longer be sustained
Continually measuring blood lactate is an accurate
method to determine OBLA and the corresponding VT2
Lab testing limitations include equipment
accessibility, technical expertise, cost, and collecting
blood samples
Field testing only estimates VT2; influenced by
environmental variables; does not assess any direct
metabolic responses beyond heart rate
2014 ACE
 EFFECT OF TRAINING ON LACTATE THRESHOLD

2014 ACE
 FIELD TESTING

Offers reliable testing for those who do

not have access to traditional testing
equipment found in a fitness center or
health club:
Simple to administer groups or self-
administered
Involves very little expense
If performing field tests outside:
Be mindful of weather conditions
Avoid exercise testing during extreme
heat, humidity, or cold

2014 ACE
 ROCKPORT FITNESS WALKING TEST (1 MILE)

Estimates VO2max from a

clients immediate post-exercise
heart rate response by
completing a 1-mile (1.6-km)
walking course as fast as
possible:
Easy to administer a running
track or treadmill
Inexpensive to conduct
Suitable for many individuals
large groups or self-
administered
Generally under-predicts
2014 ACE VO2max in fit individuals;
 1.5-MILE RUN TEST

Measures cardiovascular and muscular

endurance of the legs by completing 1.5
miles as quickly as possible:
Running track preferred setting
Effective pacing is important for a
successful outcome
Not suitable for those less-conditioned

2014 ACE
 STEP TEST

Step tests require the subject to step

continuously at a specific cadence or pace
for a predetermined timeframe:
Fitness level is determined by HRss
The lower the exercising or recovery HR, the
higher the level of fitness
Little investment in supplies (step and risers)
Takes very little time (usually 3 minutes)
Easy to administer large groups or self-
administered
Not the most appropriate test for fit
individuals:
2014 ACE
Requires less effort; fit individuals will recover
 YMCA SUBMAXIMAL STEP TEST

Measures cardiorespiratory endurance

Suitable for low-risk, apparently healthy,
nonathletic individuals ages 20 to 59

2014 ACE
 SUMMARY

Assessments are an integral part of any

personal-training program.
When conducted properly, assessments for
cardiorespiratory fitness can provide valuable
fitness and performance information for the
trainer to use in exercise program planning and
implementation.
Not all tests are suitable for all populations. It is
up to the trainer to decide the timing and most
appropriate battery of tests for each individual
client.
Periodic reassessments are also important to
gauge progress and continue to foster the client
trainer relationship.
2014 ACE