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Tests performed at SHAC

Maximal Oxygen Consumption (VO₂ max) Test

This is the single best test for measuring aerobic fitness.

• Aerobic fitness is the ability to use oxygen at an efficient rate during muscular work.
• A high level of aerobic fitness is desirable for performing many activities and sports.
• The maximal oxygen consumption value (VO2 max) is a measure of the maximal rate at which oxygen can be taken in, transported and used to perform muscular work.

Oxygen consumption (VO^₂) can be assessed on

• treadmill,
• hand crank,
• bike, or rowing ergometer

The test duration is usually 10 - 15 minutes and progresses from a relative easy intensity up to maximal intensity. The data from the test is useful in a number of ways:

• The VO^₂ max or VO^₂ peak score is used to classify the aerobic fitness of the client and can be compared to age-matched Canadian norms, or to specific exercise or sport data.
• The relative score is expressed per kilogram of body weight and is important for:
• athletes, such as runners, who must move their body weight against the force of gravity,
• and for comparing individuals of different body sizes.

The absolute (l/min) is important for activities such as cycling or rowing where body weight is supported.

• The score can be used as a baseline to help evaluate exercise or training programs.
• Oxygen consumption test can also be used to determine the submaximal exercise parameters such as economy or ventilation threshold (VT).
• VT is used to indicate your anaerobic threshold which is the intensity of exercise in which there is a shift in the predominate energy supply from aerobic to anaerobic.
• This can be expressed in l/min and represents the fraction of your maximum oxygen consumption that you can maintain during prolonged endurance exercise.
• VT has also been shown to be highly related to endurance race performance.
• The heart rate data can be used to establish individual max heart rate and along with VT precise exercise or training intensity can be prescribed.

Resting Metabolic Rate Determination

Body Composition tests

1. Underwater weighing:

Also termed Hydrostatic weighing, underwater weighing is the most valid and reliable indirect method for determining body composition.

Underwater weighing measures total body volume by determining the mass underwater and then using Archimedes' principle (which states that states that a body immersed in a fluid is buoyed up by a force equal to the weight of the displaced fluid i.e. liquids and gases) to determine body density.

To achieve this the client is submerged underwater in a chair and the body mass is measured. Underwater weighing provides the following information:

The best application of underwater weighing measurements is its ability to track changes in composition before, during and after initiation of a lifestyle, fitness or training program.

• Estimated percentage of body fat within 2 - 4 per cent
• Comparison to age matched Canadian norms
• Breakdown of body weight into two components: Fat mass and fat free mass or muscle mass.

2. Skin folds

Skin fold measurement is the most widely used method for determining body composition.

The best application of skin fold measurements is its ability to track changes in composition and decreases in skin fold thicknesses before, during and after initiation of a lifestyle, fitness or training program.  

• A skin fold indirectly measures the thickness of subcutaneous (fat lying directly under the skin) adipose tissue.
• By measuring between 3 and 7 sites on the lower and upper body a reasonable estimation of the percentage of body fat can be obtained.
• Skin folds measurements provide the following information:
• Estimated percentage body fat within 7 - 10 %
• Comparisons to aged matched Canadian norms or sport or activity specific population norms
• Skin fold thicknesses from a variety of sites on the body

Anaerobic Power

Wingate test

Wingate test is an all out effort on a cycle or hand crank ergometer that determines:

• peak power generated and
• the capacity to resist fatigue.

The test lasts between 30 - 90 seconds depending on the nature of the sport. Hockey players, figure skaters, wheelchair athletes, track cyclists and downhill skiers wanting to establish and train their ability to generate power have routinely used the test.

The U of A has developed a special protocol used for hockey players that precisely simulates a shift in hockey and is the current test used by the Edmonton Oilers of the NHL.

Wingate testing provides the following information:

• Peak Power - absolute (Watts) and relative (Watts/kg)
• Mean Power - absolute (Watts) and relative (Watts/kg)
• Fatigue Index - % power drop off from peak

 

Muscular Strength/ Endurance/ Flexibility testing

There is a multitude of muscular strength, endurance and flexibility testing that can be done depending on the heath, occupation or sport activities.

The most common include:

• 1 - 8 repetition maximum testing. This is performed using free weights and resistance-training machines commonly found in fitness centres. The information is used to develop a resistance-training program.
• Back health testing: These tests include flexibility, and endurance tests of the core muscle groups and are used for health determination and occupation readiness. Information gained is used evaluate back health and to develop activities that will prevent or manage lower back problems.
• Cybex testing: The Cybex is an isokinetic dynamometer that assesses strength, endurance, and power of muscle groups.
• The speed of limb movement is kept at a constant predetermined speed.
• The Cybex can be configured to test the muscle groups around any joint.
• The information gained is most useful to determine muscle imbalances due to improper training or previous joint or muscle injury.