YMCA Sub Max Cycle Ergometer Test

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Advantages Cycle ergometer is portable and less expensive Upper body movement is minimal easier to measure exercise heart rate and blood pressure More applicable for measuring cycling performance Disadvantages Many people may not be accustomed to cycling muscular fatigue may occur prematurely fail to reach true maximum cardio output on max cycle test 10 - 15% underestimation of true VO2 max Blood pressure may be slightly greater compared to treadmill tests due to longer muscular contractions relative intermittent vascular occlusions Accuracy is based on prediction of MHR MHR has a wide range of values at any age (figure 4.13) When using the formula (220-age) in estimating maximum heart rate: SEE ± 12 bpm for younger individuals SEE ± 15 bpm for older individuals Equipment must be well maintained & calibrated Running tests are more applicable for measuring running performance Sample Format for Submax Test Interview Subject Ask subject: if they have been tested before medications and drugs: medications that affect heart rate will render test invalid musculoskeletal limitations and recent injuries present physical condition (cold, infections) time of last meal or snack Explain purpose of test: predicts cardiorespiratory fitness customize design of exercise prescriptions evaluate the effectiveness of exercise program monitors heart rate and blood pressure responses Explain procedures of test: Explain test only takes client just beyond 75% of predicted maximum heart rate Stop the test if you feel faint, dizzy, or short of breath they are free to stop test for ANY reason Subject's responsibility: ride at 50 rpm give tester a RPE when asked (1-10) keep going until about 75-85% of heart rate max (70% of heart rate reserve) Tester's responsibility: monitor blood pressure and heart rate responses during each 3 minute stage change the resistance on the bike in accordance to heart rate Cool down after test Pretest Write down 75% of max heart rate on test form Take weight Take height Resting blood pressure Resting heart rate Adjust seat height and record for future tests knee is almost straight (5°) in bottom stroke with ankle in neutral position consider subject may sink into seat within the first few minutes test results may be inaccurately low if seat is set too low pedaling position should be comfortable for subject Set metronome at 50 bpm Subject practices pace during warm-up Test Record blood pressure, heart rate, RPE, and workload for each stage See Workload Guides A: women or lower fit men B: men or very fit women Tension may slip on a mechanically braked cycle and may require attention between workloads See samples below Post test Cool down at work rate equivalent to first stage or lower tester continues to monitor heart rate, blood pressure, signs, and symptoms Plug numbers in computer or graph heart rates and calculate predicted functional capacity Stage A is second to last stage Stage B is last stage completed Both heart rate measurements must be between 110 bpm and 85% of the age predicted heart rate Place information in client file Sample A 0:00 Begin test 1:30 / 4:30 / 7:30 / 10:30 Take BP 2:30 / 5:30 / 8:30 / 11:30 Take HR 2:45 / 5:45 / 8:45 / 11:45 Take RPE 3:00 / 6:00 / 9:00 / 12:00 Change resistance 75% Predicted Maximum Heart Rate Stop test Cool down Sample B 0:00 Start Test 1:00 Take Blood Pressure / RPE 2:00 Find Pulse 2:40 Take Pulse / RPE 3:00 Adjust Resistance 4:00 Take Blood Pressure / RPE 5:00 Find Pulse 6:00 Adjust Resistance 7:00 Take Blood Pressure / RPE 8:00 Find Pulse 8:40 Take Pulse / RPE 9:00 Adjust Resistance / Stop Test (Cool Down/RPE) 15:00 Get Off Bike / RPE Also see: How to Get Quality Results with Submaximal Cycle Ergometer Fitness Tests DVD