VO2 Max

Stone Murray

10/11/20

Lab 13
Introduction:
A VO2 max test measures the amount of oxygen​ ​that can be used per minute, representing any
individual’s upper limit of aerobic (or oxygen dependent) metabolism. Athletes all over use this
test to see how their fitness levels are by using VO2 max testing. In order for this test to be
accurate, you need to be able to go all out and give it your all. This test depends on lung
capacity, and cardiac output. Also, the ability of the muscle cells to extract oxygen from the
blood passing through them. This test is great because it can show athlete's how hard they have
been working and see how far they came, or if they need to work on their fitness levels some
more.

Purpose, Background:
The purpose of this lab was to measure the VO2 max of a student using the ergometer treadmill.
Our results were compared to other college students' results so we could verify and compare and
contrast our data. The average college male test results were 42 mL/kg/min, and the average
college female V02 max was 38 mL/kg/min. The normal resting VO2 was 3.5 mL/kg/min.
- plateau - A general increase to a small or no change at all
- V02- Rate of oxygen being consumed
- VO2 max- Maximum amount of oxygen a person can utilize during exercise
- RER- Ratio of the volume of carbon ​dioxide you exhale vs the volume of oxygen you
consume at a given exercise intensity
- RPE scale- measures the intensity of your workout

Hypothesis:
More calories will be burned when the subject reaches high or their highest VO2 levels. This will
also mean that a higher amount of METs will be used. Therefore the higher the heart rate and
and RPE the greater the chance they will reach their max VO2 and will burn more calories.

Materials:

- Nosepiece
- Mouthpiece
- Headpiece
- Ergometer treadmill
- Heart rate strap
- Computer/laptop
- Parvo metabolic cart
Procedure:
1. Get the subjects measurements (height/weight) and put it in the Parvo program.

2. Put the mouthpiece on subject so the computer can track the data of the gasses coming in

and out of his/hers body

3. Clamp the subjects nose so they can only breathe in and out using the mouthpiece

4. Have subject start walking on treadmill to warm up

5. Gradually increase the speed and incline of the treadmill (make it harder)

6. Continue to have the subject run until exhaustion or until they can’t go any harder or

longer. At this point they have hit the plateau and you have their VO2 max.

7. Analyze the data you collected

Data Table and Graphs:

Stage Duration Speed Grade

(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

Time Heart Rate Rate of Perceived VO​2​ (ml/kg/min)

(bpm) Exertion (RPE)

0:00 95 6 4.8

3:00 105 7 17.9

6:00 119 7 24.2

9:00 166 11 42.7

12:00 187 12 60.7

 15:00 203 20 66.6

18:00 N/A N/A N/A

21:00 N/A N/A N/A

Discussion:
In this procedure we were trying to measure VO2 max. We did this by using a college aged

student and placed him on our ergometer treadmill, which is hooked up to the Parvo metabolic

cart that tracks oxygen and carbon dioxide levels throughout the duration of the run. We had the

subject run for 15 minutes and we gradually increased the speed and incline every 3 minutes.

During this duration of running we reached his VO2 max which was 69.1 mL/kg/min. Possible

sources of error could be from human error such as not plugging the subjects nose and computer

error inaccurately giving us the wrong data. These can be fixed by always making sure the

subject's nose is plugged and is wearing all the straps and mouthpieces correctly. By doing this

the reading will come out much more accurately and the computer will give us better data to

analyze.
Questions:

1. Someone has reached their true VO2 max when ​any 3 of the 6 requirements have been met:

a. Peak or plateau in VO​2​max

b. Peak or plateau in Heart Rate

c. Respiratory exchange ratio (RER) value of 1.10 or greater

d. Volitional exhaustion

e. Plasma blood lactate levels >14 mmol/liter

F. RPE = to or >18

2. In order for a VO2 max test to be considered a true max, 3 of 6 must be met.

3. The normal resting VO2 is 3.5 mL/kg/min.

4. Average V02 max for college-age males = 42 mL/kg/min and the average V02 max for

college-age females = 38 mL/kg/min.

5. RER (respiratory exchange ratio) value represents the ratio between the amount of carbon dioxide

produced in metabolism and oxygen used. The body is primarily using fat substrates when RER

ranges from 0.6-0.8. The body is primarily using carbohydrates during high intensity and the

range is from 0.9-1.0.

6. RER=VC02/V02

RER=4233ml/3500m

RER=1.209

7. This individual is performing at a high intensity and is using carbohydrates as their energy

substrate.

8. This individual reached their VO2 max in 14 minutes during this exercise.
9. The criteria that was indicated that the subject reached their VOz max was the subject had a RER

value greater than 1.10 13 minutes in and he reached a plateau in their VO2 max which was 5.3

and heart rate max which was 54 bpm.