Maximal Oxygen Consumption (VO2Max)

Testing
 Kayla Sweeney
2/24/2020
VO2max Lab

Introduction:

This lab is titled “Maximal Oxygen Consumption (VO2 Max) Testing”. This lab involved the
testing of one student in order to find his/her VO2 max. VO2 max is the maximum volume of
oxygen that can be used per minute, which represents the individual’s upper limit of aerobic
metabolism. When participating in this lab students need to understand the different terms
such as heart rate, RPE, and RER. Heart rate is the number of beats per minute your heart is
beating at, RPE stands for rate of perceived exertion, and RER stands for respiratory exchange
ratio. These are very important terms for this lab because they all are important when it comes
to determining the student’s VO2 max.

Purpose, Background:

Oxygen consumption is a vital function of the human body and effects all bodily
functions. The volume of oxygen utilized by muscles for cell metabolism and energy production
per minute is referred to VO2. VO2 measurements are also very important for RER (respiratory
exchange ratio). RER (respiratory exchange ratio) is important to determine because is the ratio
of carbon dioxide produced to oxygen consumed. In order to determine the RER value, the
value for VCO2 is divided by the VO2 value. The VCO2 value is the volume of carbon dioxide
produced per minute. Along with these values, the RPE value and the subjects heart rate were
very important numbers to keep track of throughout the test. RPE stands for rate of perceived
exertion (how difficult the exercise was at that particular moment). Heart rate is the number of
beats per minute the individual’s heart does. The heart rate was measured by the heart rate
monitor strapped around the chest of the individual just below the sternum and measures the
hearts beats per minute.
The purpose of the lab was to determine a student’s VO2 max and to determine if they
reached their “true max”. In order to determine if the student reached their “true max” the
student has to reach at least any 3 of the 6 requirements for VO 2max. These requirements
include peak plateau in VO2max, peak or plateau in heart rate, respiratory exchange ratio (RER)
value of 1.10 or greater, volitional exhaustion, plasma blood lactate levels > 14 mmol/liter, or
RPE = to or > 18. RPE stands for the rate of perceived exertion and is very important in this lab.
RPE (0-20) is on a chart in front of the student participating in the test. This allows the people
watching the student to see how much his/her heart rate increases the harder the VO 2 test
gets. The objective of this lab is to determine the student’s VO 2max and if they reached their
“true max”. Once you have the VO2max of the individual you can use that number, along with
the VCO2 number to find the individuals RER value.
Hypothesis:
If exercise intensity increases then heart rate, perceived exertion, and VO 2 values will increase
due to the direct relationship between intensity and VO2 consumption.

Materials:
 Slow meter calibrator
 Gas calibrator
 Mask
 Treadmill
 RPE chart
 Metabolic cart
 Nose plug
 Two-way valve mouthpiece
 HR monitor
 Headset

Procedure:

1. Participant puts on the HR monitor under clothing just below sternum.

2. Participant warms up by walking on the treadmill for a few minutes.
3. Instructor then stops the treadmill and puts the headset and nose plug on the
participant.
4. Different students are assigned to watch the individuals HR increase, VO 2, and to get the
individuals RPE every 3 minutes and share it with the rest of the class.
5. Another student is in charge of making sure the individual does not fall off the treadmill
while another increases/decrease the speed of the treadmill.
6. Participant begins to walk at a speed of 1.7 and spectators record HR, RPE and VO2 are
recorded by the rest of the class.
7. Speed continues to increase for participant every 3 minutes and HR, RPE, and VO2
continue to be recorded.
8. When the student decides he or she is ready to stop they then stop the treadmill and
the student takes off the head set and continues to walk in order to cool down.
Data Table and Graphs:
Bruce Treadmill Protocol

Speed Grade
Stage Duration
(mph) (%)
1 0:00-2:59 1.7 10
2 3:00-5:59 2.5 12
3 6:00-8:59 3.4 14
4 9:00-11:59 4.2 16
5 12:00-14:59 5.0 18
6 15:00-17:59 5.5 20
7 18:00-20:59 6.0 22
8 21:00-23:59 6.5 24

Data Table:

Time Heart Rate Rate of Perceived VO2

(bpm) Exertion (RPE) (ml/kg/min)
0:00 139 bpm 7 4.1 ml/kg/min
3:00 152 bpm 11 17.7 ml/kg/min
6:00 169 bpm 15 26.7 ml/kg/min
9:00 185 bpm 17 36.4 ml/kg/min
End time: 190 bpm 20 44 ml/kg/min
10 minutes
16 seconds
 Heart Rate (bpm) / VO2max (ml/kg/min) VO2 Max Vs. Heart Rate (bpm) in the Given Stage
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Heart Rate (bpm) VO2

Heart Rate (bpm) at the Staet of

Each New Stage
200
180 f(x) = 122.38 x + 138.17
160 R² = 1
Heart Rate (bpm)

140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
0:00 1:12 2:24 3:36 4:48 6:00 7:12 8:24 9:36 10:48
Time (seconds and minutes)

Discussion:
In order to properly perform a VO2max test, we had to follow specific steps to make sure
there was little room for error. We started by recording the subject’s data such as height,
weight, and age. After we recorded that data into the computer system, she had the
mouthpiece/headset fitted and secured to her head. After the subject had the headpiece
secured and was ready to begin, we were able to record the resting heart rate, RPE, and VO 2
values. After the class recorded the resting values, we began the test and these same values
were recorded every 3 minutes, until the test ended at 10 minutes and 16 seconds.
Our test recorded heart rate, RPE, and VO2 throughout the 10 minute and 16 seconds
testing span. The individuals heart rate increased at a steady linear rate and within the last four
minutes her heart rate increased by 15bpm. At the 6-minute mark her heart rate was 169bpm
and at the 10 minutes and 16 second mark her heart rate was 190bpm. RPE also showed a
steady increase over the course of the 10 minutes. Lastly, VO2 showed the biggest increase
starting at the 6:00 mark. Her VO2 was 26.7ml/kg/min at 6:00 and increased to 36.4ml/kg/min
then increased to 44ml/kg/min at the 10 minute and 16 second mark.
Based on the results we received according to her heart rate, RPE, and VO2 our test
could be considered a “true max” because there was a peak in VO2max, a peak in heart rate,
volitional exhaustion, and RPE was equal to or greater than 18. In order to be considered a
“true max” the individual has to meet 3 of the 6 requirements of VO2max and our subject met 4
of the 6 requirements.
Possible errors that could have occurred during this lab could have been in relation to
recording all the different numbers. If all of the people in charge of the different numbers, we
were recording did not look at their numbers at the exact same time then a result might not
have been as accurate because it was mot at the exact same time. I would correct these
sources of error in future labs by having the recorders of the numbers watch the number they
were in charge of recording and write the number down as soon as they were told to. Then
after they have it written down, they can tell the class, rather than looking for the number
when they are told to and then yelling it to the class, then writing it down for themselves.
Another possible error could be if the gas tank could not be calibrated correctly, which
would affect all of the readings. Having someone else check the gas calibrator could help
prevent this error. Lastly, the data collected proved the hypothesis correct because heart rate,
RPE, and VO2 all increased as a result of the increase in speed and incline of the treadmill.

Questions:
1. What criteria are used to determine if an individual has reached their “true max”
when completing a VO2max test?

In order to determine if an individual has reached their “true max” when completing the VO 2
max test the individual must reach peak or plateau in VO2max, Peak or plateau in Heart Rate,
Respiratory exchange ratio (RER) value of 1.10 or greater, Volitional exhaustion, Plasma blood
lactate levels >14 mmol/liter, and RPE = to or >18.

2. How many of the criteria from question #1 must be present in order for a VO 2max test
to be considered a “true max”.

3 of the 6 requirements from question #1 have to be present in order for a VO 2 max test to be
considered a “true max”.

3. What is an average resting VO2 value in ml/kg/min for men and women?

Normal Resting VO2 for both men and women = 3.5 ml/kg/min
 4. What is the average maximum VO2 value in ml/kg/min for college age men and
women?

College male= 42 ml/kg/min

College female= 38 ml/kg/min

5. Explain what the RER value represents and give numerical examples of RER values
when the body is using primarily fat substrates and primarily carbohydrate
substrates?

The RER value (respiratory exchange ratio) represents the ratio of carbon dioxide produced to
oxygen consumed. A numerical example of RER when the body is using primarily fat substrate
is 0.6 – 0.8. An example of when the body is using primarily carbohydrates is when the RER
value is 0.9 – 1.0.

6. What is the RER value for an individual with a VCO2 value of 4233ml and a VO2 value of
3500ml?

RER = VCO2 RER = 4233ml / 3500ml = 1.2

VO2

7. Using your answer in question #6, at what intensity of exercise is this individual
performing at, and what energy substrate is primarily being used during this exercise?

Based on my answer in question #6, the individual is performing at a high intensity exercise
level. As a result of performing at a high intensity, the energy substrates primarily being used
are carbohydrates.

8. Using the results from our student’s data, at what time did the subject reach VO 2max?

The subject reached her VO2 max at 10 minutes and 16 seconds. At this time her heart rate was
190bpm, her RPE was 20, and her VO2 was 44 ml/kg/min.

9. According to the data, what criteria indicated that the subject reached their max
during the test? Please be very specific.

According to the data the criteria indicated that the subject reached their max during the test
included Peak or plateau in VO2max, Peak or plateau in Heart Rate, Violation exhaustion, and
RPE = to or >18.