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Chapter 20:
Work Tests to Evaluate
Performance
EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY
Theory and Application to Fitness and Performance, 5th edition
Scott K. Powers & Edward T. Howley
Presentation revised and updated by
TK Koesterer, Ph.D., ATC
Humboldt State University
Objectives
• Discuss the rationale for the determination of
VO2 MAX in the evaluation of exercise
performance in athletes competing in
endurance events
• Explain the concept of “specificity of VO2 MAX“
• State the rationale for the assessment of
lactate threshold in the endurance athlete
• Discuss the purpose and technique(s)
involved in the measurement of exercise
economy
Objectives
• Provide an overview of how laboratory tests
performance on the endurance athelte might
be interpreted as an aid in predicting
performance
• Describe several tests that are useful in
assessing anaerobic power
• Discuss the techniques used to evaluate
strength
Factors That Contribute to
Physical Performance
Fig 20.1
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
Testing of
Maximal Aerobic Power
• VO2max testing
– Should be specific to athlete’s sport
– Should use large muscle groups
– Optimal test length: 10-12 minutes
• Criteria of VO2max
– Respiratory exchange ratio 1.15
– HR in last stage 10 beats•min-1 of HRmax
– Plateau in VO2 with increasing work rate
Determining VO2max
Fig 20.2
Testing Peak VO2 in
Paraplegic Athletes
• Paraplegic athletes can be tested using arm
exercise
– Arm ergometers
– Wheelchair ergometers
• Highest VO2 measured during arm exercise is
not considered VO2max
– Called “peak 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
• Peak running velocity
– Highest speed that can be maintained for >5 sec
Lactate Threshold
Fig 20.3
Ventilatory Threshold
Fig 20.4
Critical Power
Fig 20.6
Predicting Performance From
Peak Running Velocity
Fig 20.5
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
Fig 20.7
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
Fig 20.8
Energy System Contribution
to Maximal Exercise
Fig 20.9
Determination of Maximal
Anaerobic Power
Ultra short-term tests
• Tests ATP-PC system
• Examples
– Margaria power test
• Stair running
– Jumping power tests
– Running power tests
• Series of 40-yard
dashes
– Cycling power tests
Short-term tests
• Tests anaerobic
glycolysis
• Examples
– Cycling tests
• Wingate test
– Running tests
– Sport-specific tests
The Margaria Power Test
Fig 20.10
Series of 40-yard Dashes to
Test Anaerobic Power
Fig 20.11
Evaluation of
Muscular Strength
• Isometric measurement
– Static force of muscle using tensiometer
• Isotonic measurement
– Constant tension
– 1 RM lift, handgrip/back-lift dynamometer
• Isokinetic measurement
– Variable resistance at constant speed
• Variable resistance devices
– Variable resistance over range of motion
Isometric
Measurement
Using Cable
Tensiometer
Fig 20.12
Isotonic
Measurement
Using
Dynamometry
Fig 20.13
Isokinetic Measurement of Strength
Using Cybex Dynamometer
Fig 20.14
Printout From Isokinetic
Dynamometer
Fig 20.15