CONTENTS

Introduction.2-3
Purpose.3
Methods4-6
Results...7-11
Discussion.11-13
Conclusion13
Reference List14

Introduction
Fitness can be measured by the amount of oxygen consumed while doing a physical activity
at maximum limit. VO2 max is the maximum measure of oxygen in millilitres, one can
consume in one minute for every kilogram of body weight. The individuals who are fit have
higher VO2 max values and can practice more seriously than the individuals who are not too
adapted to it. Various studies show that one can increase their VO2 max by working at a
physical level that increases their heart rate to somewhere around 65 to 85% of their
maximum attainable value for no less than 20 minutes three to five times each week. A mean
estimation of VO2 max for male competitors is found to be around 3.5 litres/minute and for
female competitors it is around 2.7 litres/minute (BrianMac , n.d.).
A few specialists trust that VO2 max is a key physiological determinant of an athletes
running performance, and that it is a very important goal of a preparation project to be
improved. Different games scientists argue that the limit to an athletes running performance
are determined by a range of factors , for example, adaptation of muscles, running
efficiency, metabolism and that VO2 max is basically a measure of the oxygen that the
athlete consumes at the maximum level of energy output. On this perspective, which I
discover powerful, VO2 max is not the critical factor which decides maximum performance,
but rather will be somewhat a result of a blend of other limiting components. Whichever way
you look at it there is a measureable level of exercise intensity at which the athlete's
consumption of oxygen reaches a plateau and does not increase further (Running For Fitness,
n.d.).
Physiological changes during the impact of the work intensity and duration on the metabolic
circulatory and ventilator reaction to practice are quantitated in healthy male subjects during
cycle ergometer exercise. There is a very well requested relationship between work rate and

oxidative energy sources. Steady state time for 02 consumptions (Vo,) is reliant on work
intensity (the time arterial blood lactate concentration stops increasing). At moderate work,
anaerobic metabolism is a very small piece of credit oxidation, while at very heavy work, the
pyruvate-lactate mechanism is the real creditor. The increase in gas exchange ratio (R)
reflecting the production of CO2 from bicarbonate (buffering of lactic guide) is transient.
After the steady state is achieved, R decreases. The heart rate increases during consistent
burden exercise parallels the
increment in vo, Physiological dead space/tidal volume proportion diminishes from .33 to .17
during activity. The reduction is independent of work duration and only slightly lessened as
work intensity increases. Blood vessel 02 strain does not diminish during activity adrift level
even at maximal rates of 02 transport.
Blood vessel end tidal CO2 pressure contrasts recommend a vacillation in pneumonic narrow
CO2 strain of roughly 8 mm Hg amid the respiratory cycle of the practicing subject. Changes
in moment ventilation are best anticipated from the rate of CO2 generation and the degree of
respiratory remuneration for metabolic acidosis.

Purpose
The main aim is to find out the vo2 max of the participants by making them do the three
multistage tests and is also known as the beep test, submaximal Astrand bike test and
Maximal treadmill test. Also the result of the three test are found out and discussed
accordingly.

Methodology
Multistage Fitness Test
This test was conducted at the ilt stadium and there were 25 participants who took part in this
test and the 20 m distance was marked by the Cones while all the participants were given a
Heart Rate monitor which they placed on their chest. After that everybody went through a
nice warm up and stretch and the resting heart rate was recorded. Then they started playing
the CD in the CD player and the instructions were given to the participants and then the
participants stood behind the starting line of the 20m track. Every participant was eliminated
after one warning of not reaching the opposite line on time before the sound of the beep.
Then the post heart rates were measured. Then immediately the no of shuttles and the level
have to be recorded. The equipments used in this test are:

Cones
Measuring tape
Heart Rate monitor
CD Player
Stopwatch
A 20 m Floor Area
Multistage fitness recording test
Health questionnaire and Informed Consent (Pienaar, 2016).

SUB MAXIMAL AEROBIC TESTING CYCLE ERGOMETER

This test was conducted in human performance lab and 35 participants
took part in the test. The consent form was given to each participant who
was about to start his/her test and was explained about the procedure of
4

the test then the participants were given heart rate monitors to put on
their chest and then the bike seats and the handles were adjusted
according to the participants height then their rest heart rate and blood
pressures were taken and then the test began the participants had to
pedal continuously at a speed of 50-60 rpm. The objective is to record a
steady heart rate with 70% of Age predicted maximal heart rate. The
steady heart rate has to be observed for three consecutive minutes that
does not have a difference of 5bpm. The average of these 3 heart rates
will give the final heart rate required for calculation. The test consists of
two 4 minute stages and the workload was set according gender
differences, the starting workload given to males was 1.0 kp and females
was 0.5 kp. The heart rate has to be measured after every one minute and
the blood pressure has to be taken before each time the workload
changes and the before the final workload.

Equipment:

A bicycle ergometer (Monarch) with adjustable workload and

revolution counter.

Heart Rate Monitor

Blood Pressure measurement apparatus

Stop Watch

Chart with Perceived Exertion Scale (Pienaar, 2016).

Maximal Aerobic Testing:

This test was conducted in human performance lab in which 30 participants took part in the
test. The consent form was given to the participant who was about to start the test and then
he/she was explained about the test procedures. Each participant was given a heart rate
monitor to place on to their chest then every participant has to be told very surely that he/she
will not fall from the treadmill and get off safely while performing the test if something goes
wrong. The participant has to be informed about the hand signals by which he/she has to
answer if asked anything during the test being performed. Then the mouthpiece was inserted
in the mouth of the participant and he/she is allowed to adjust it according to their own
comfort and then also a nose clip has to be placed on the nose so that the participant may not
be able to breathe from the nose and we could achieve the accurate results. Then allow the
subject to relax for 2-3 minutes in that time record the resting heart rate, blood pressure and
the resting ventilation values. The test begins and we have to monitor the values from time to
time. The first stage is of 3 minutes and then after that 2 minutes for each stage. After each
stage the gradient was being increased by 2.5% after the first stage being completed.

Equipment:

A treadmill.

True Max Gas analysis equipment.

A stopwatch or timer.

Heart rate monitor

Health Questionnaire & Informed Consent (Pienaar, 2016).

Results:

% of O2
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5

% of O2

VO2(L/min)

2
1.5
1
0.5
0

Time(minutes)

The chart 1.1 above shows the relationship between % of O2 and Time for a particular
subject.

VCO2(L/min)
5
4.5
4
3.5
3

% of Co2

2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0

Time(minutes)

The chart 1.2 above shows the relationship between % of CO2 and Time for a particular
subject.

Hr(bpm)
200
180
160
140
120

Heart Rate(bpm)

100
80
60
40
20
0

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

VO2 max(ml/kg/min)

The chart 1.3 above shows the relationship between heart rate in bpm and VO2 max in
ml/kg/min.
The 50% of VO2 Max is found out to be 18.85 ml/kg/min and the 85% of VO2 max is found
out to be 29.84 ml/kg/min.

Hr(bpm)
200
150

Heart Rate(bpm) 100

50
0

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

VO2 max(ml/kg/min)

The chart 1.4 above shows the 50% and 85% of VO2 Max for the subject and the heart rate at
that point is found out to be 90 bpm and 140 bpm respectively.
The Mean and Standard Deviation for all participants for each test was found out and shown
below.
Multi-Stage Fitness Test:
For Males-Mean is 39.53 and Standard Deviation is 10.54.
For Females-Mean is 30.81 and Standard Deviation is 11.25.
For all participants, Mean is 36.99 and Standard Deviation is 11.26.

Sub-Maximal Astrand Bike Test:

For Males-Mean is 39.48 and Standard Deviation is 7.79.
For Females-Mean is 43.91 and Standard Deviation is 15.19.
For all participants, Mean is 40.77 and Standard Deviation is 10.33.

10

Maximal Treadmill Test:

For Males-Mean is 46.39 and Standard Deviation is 8.02.
For Females-Mean is 39.44 and Standard Deviation is 9.00.
For all participants, Mean is 44.37 and Standard Deviation is 8.74.

Discussion:
All the three fitness tests to calculate vo2 max were run successfully and no participant was
injured during the screening of the tests. All the calculations were made precisely and values
determined.
Multi-Stage Fitness Test:
For Males-Mean is 39.53 and Standard Deviation is 10.54.
For Females-Mean is 30.81 and Standard Deviation is 11.25.
For all participants, Mean is 36.99 and Standard Deviation is 11.26.

Sub-Maximal Astrand Bike Test:

For Males-Mean is 39.48 and Standard Deviation is 7.79.
For Females-Mean is 43.91 and Standard Deviation is 15.19.
For all participants, Mean is 40.77 and Standard Deviation is 10.33.

11

Maximal Treadmill Test:

For Males-Mean is 46.39 and Standard Deviation is 8.02.
For Females-Mean is 39.44 and Standard Deviation is 9.00.
For all participants, Mean is 44.37 and Standard Deviation is 8.74.

From the above shown mean and standard deviation it is clearly known that different
individuals have different cardiovascular fitness levels in the form of vo2 max. In the
multistage fitness test which is also known as the beep test, the males hold an upper hand
from the females by a considerable margin. On the contrary, the females seem to perform
better than the males in the submaximal astrand bike test. Again, the males seem to perform
better than the females in the maximal aerobic treadmill test.
This shows that gender and age play a very important role in determining the vo2 max of
different individuals. Men seem to have a better cardiovascular level than women because of
the fact that they are physically more stronger than females. As a result, they have a bigger
heart whicj pumps more blood to the muscle and tissues and also because of a better
functioning lungs. This is according to the study shown in (Stagner, 2009).

Limitations
Not a lot of limitations were found in the study. A few of them that were found are discussed
below.
One of the limitations was the fact that the test are required expensive equipments and
supervised people to be conducted. It can only be performed inside a scientific laboratory.

12

Another limitation was not all of the participant were not able to finish the three tests. Some
of them missed out on one or two tests. So, not a detailed picture of accurate vo2 max off all
participants could be determined.
Conclusion
VO2 max is a very easy and efficient way of determining an individuals cardiovascular
fitness. The tests that were conducted above show the differences between VO2 max in
different individuals based on their age, gender and lifestyle. Apart from a few errors the
study was an overall success and can be used as a future reference too.

13

References
BrianMac . (n.d.). Retrieved from www.brianmac.co.uk:
http://www.brianmac.co.uk/vo2max.htm
Pienaar, H. (2016). Lab WorkBook. Lab WorkBook. Invercargill, Southland, New
Zealand.
Running For Fitness. (n.d.). Retrieved from www.runningforfitness.org:
http://www.runningforfitness.org/faq/vo2-max
Stagner, L. (2009). NC DOCKS. Retrieved from www.libres.uncg.edu:
https://libres.uncg.edu/ir/listing.aspx?id=6180

14