Other physiological tests

Other physiological tests

Factors That Contribute to Physical Performance

What the Athlete Gains From Physiological Testing

• Information regarding strengths and weaknesses– Can serve as baseline data to plan training

programs• Feedback regarding effectiveness of training

program• Understanding about the physiology of

exercise

Effective Physiological Testing

• Relevant to the sport• Valid and reliable• Sport-specific• Repeated at regular intervals• Carefully controlled procedures• Interpreted to the coach and athlete

Maximal Run Tests

• Measure how far a person can run in a set time or how fast they can run a set distance– Cooper’s 12-minute run and 1.5 mile run– AAPHERD’s 1-mile run/walk

• VO2max estimates based on the linear relationship between running speed and oxygen cost of running

Canadian Home Fitness Test

• Uses 8-inch steps to evaluate cardiorespiratory fitness

• Measure HR after 3 minutes of stepping– Stop if it exceeds maximum allowable HR based

on age– Continue for another 3 minutes if it is below

maximum allowable HR– Fitness level is based on post-exercise HR

Estimation of VO2max From a Submaximal Treadmill Test

The Y’s Way to Physical Fitness Cycle Ergometer Protocol

Predicting VO2max From Submaximal Step Test

The Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test

• The Yo-Yo IR level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1) test focuses on the capacity to carry out intermittent exercise leading to a maximal activation of the aerobic system

• Yo-Yo IR level 2 (Yo-Yo IR2) determines an individual’s ability to recover from repeated exercise with a high contribution from the anaerobic system

• more sensitive measure of changes in performance than maximum oxygen uptake

• Widely used, valid, reliable

Protocols for Yo-yo IR1 and IR2

Bangsbo et al, Sports Med, 2008

Physiological responses in Yo-yo test

Reproducibility of Yo-yo test

Relationship between performance and Yo-Yo test

Use Yo-yo test to monitor seasonal changes

Yo-yo test vs Maximal VO2

Laboratory Tests to Predict Endurance Performance

• Lactate threshold– Exercise intensity at which blood lactic acid begins to

systematically increase– Blood samples taken during incremental exercise

• Critical power– Speed at which running speed/time curve reaches plateau– An important parameter for aerobic function

• Peak running velocity– Highest speed that can be maintained for >5 seconds

Test to measure critical power

• Several all-out running/cycling exercise at different power (W)– Time consuming, effort consuming

• 3-min all-out cycling exercise– Subjects need to be highly motivated and fully

familiarized with the test protocol – During the test, pacing is prevented by absence of any

time-based feedback, and the subject is strongly encouraged to maximize power output, at all times.

– no decremental trend at any point during the test and attains >95% VO2max

Critical Power

Predicting Performance From Peak Running Velocity

Critical power and training intensity

Jones et al, MSSE 2010

Critical power and VO2max/lactate

Jones et al, MSSE 2010

Critical power and PCr

Jones et al, MSSE 2010

Measure critical power in 3-min all-out exercise

Jones et al, MSSE 2010

Tests to Determine Running Economy

• Measurement of the oxygen cost of running at various speeds– Greater running economy reflected in lower

oxygen cost• Higher economy means that less energy is

expended to maintain a given speed

Running Economy

Estimating 10,000m Running Time Using LT and Running Economy

• VO2 at LT – 40 ml•kg-1•min-1

• VO2 of 40 ml•kg-1•min-1 – equals running speed of 205 m•min-1

• Estimated 10,000m running time

10,000m 205 m•min-1 = 48.78 min

Running Economy and LT Results From Incremental Exercise Test

Energy System Contribution to Maximal Exercise

Determination of Maximal Anaerobic Power

Ultra short-term tests• Tests ATP-PC system• Examples– Margaria power test• Stair running

– Jumping power tests• CMJ, squat jump

– Running power tests• Series of 40-yard

dashes– Cycling power tests• 10 s Wingate test

Short-term tests• Tests anaerobic

glycolysis• Examples– Cycling tests• 30 s Wingate test

– Running tests– Sport-specific tests

The Margaria Power Test

Series of 40-yard Dashes to Test Anaerobic Power