Exercise Phy

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Maximum Oxygen Consumption of Aerobically Trained and Untrained Students

D Quirke

Aim

The aim of this lab is to examine the relationship between exercise intensity and the maximum oxygen uptake VO2max of four subjects. Using a Velotron ergometer in a ramped cycle test and examining the results recorded by a metalyser of the subject’s ventilatory response to the maximum test.

Introduction

Maximal oxygen consumption (Vo2max) is deemed to be a bench mark measurement of the cardio vascular systems ability to perform during a intense whole-body aerobic exercise. It is expressed in a volume at a rate liters per minute (L/m) or milliliters per kg of body weight per minute (ml/kg/min). Because oxygen consumption has a linear relationship to energy expenditure, measuring a individuals oxygen consumption will give us a indirect measure of the subjects maximal capacity for work aerobically.  It date back to the 1920s and has been defined as the maximum amount of oxygen per unit of time they can be extracted from the atmosphere and transported for utilization (Astrand & Rodehl 1986: Bassett & Howley 2000).

Today Vo2max is regarded as a good indicator of the body’s ability to take up and consume oxygen during high intensity exercise. Vo2max is a proven method for demonstrating training effect on, and aerobic potential of the cardiopulmonary system. Maximum oxygen uptake does not predict performance ability in sport as other factors influence sporting performance such as skill level, motivation and genetics(McMillan, 2006).

Anaerobic Threshold

As all exercise drawings first from the intramuscular stores of ATP then creatine phosphate, these stores are first replenished with anaerobic glycolysis as the intensity increases so does the production of lactic acid which if unused by the cell and muscle its released into the blood system. The body tries to buffer the lactic acid with bicarbonate and the byproduct is carbon dioxide(Co2)(Shephard & Astrand, 1997), as ventilation increases to remove the Co2 so does the body need for oxygen increase to match the exercise intensity. The anaerobic threshold can be estimated by looking at the ventilatory equivalent for oxygen (VE/Vo2) an the ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide (VE/Vco2)(Scott Power & Howley, 2004)

 In a study of the ventilatory breakpoint of boy and men, showed discernibly breakpoint in the men and 50/75 % of the boys and some with two breakpoints. With there break points for men 57% and boys 67% non were trained aerobically or aerobically(Panagiota Klentrou, Mary Lou Nishio, & Plyley, 2006).  

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The differences in subjects performance with maximum test in relationship to VO2max, anaerobic threshold and economy. To examine the performance of the subjects in relation to the physiological changes occurring during the maximum tests.

Method

Experimental Design

This study aimed to examine the differences between trained and untrained endurance participants in a controlled Max Vo2 test using a velotron cycle ergometer to perform a maximum incremental exercise test. While also having a Cortex metalyser record the ventilatory response to the workload.

Participants

The subjects were chosen from a exercise physiology year ...

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