Question

1. Which aspect of the Fick Equation does a submaximal bicycle ergometer test, such as the YMCA bike test, rely upon to predict maximal oxygen consumption? How is this possible – what two variables do we rely upon to predict VO_2max during the YMCA bike test?

Answer 1

The Fick equation states that VO2 max equals to the amount of blood pumped per heart beat at maximum heart rate times the amount of oxygen the working muscles are able to extract from the blood passing through them.

The YMCA submaximal cycle Ergometer test is a submaximal cycle ergometer aerobic fitness test. Based on the subject's heart rate response to several maximal work loads,we can predict what workload and therefore VO2max they would have reached if they had continued until their maximum heart rate. This part uses the aspect of Fick equation.

A submaximal all extremity exercise test to predict maximal oxygen consumption purpose. Submaximal aerobic exercise testing is utlised with a variety of populations to assess fitness level and predict maximal oxygen uptake (VO2peak) when a maximal test is not possible or preferable.

Advantage of lab submaximal test:- ideal for unfit individuals not ready for maximal testing,relatively easy exercise and safer, less cost, less time, requires minimal equipment, results are repeatable (useful for tracking progress.

To predict VO2max, we depend upon two variables such as age and weight of the individual.

VO2 max=132,853 - (0.769Xweight in lb) - (0.3877Xage)+6.315Xgender - 3.2649X walk time in minutes - (0.156Xheart rate).

If you are a male, use the number 1 , if you are a female, use the number 0 for the calculation.