fitnessASSIST

Exercise Stress Testing is one of the corner stones of ergometry. Exercise stress testing is the means by which exercise physiology can quantitfy and measure the individuals capacity to perform work.

Breath by Breath Analysis

Gas Analysis machines such as the Fitmate Pro enable you to accurately measure oxygen consumption in various testing conditions.  The breath by breathe analysis calculates respiratory frequency, ventilatory rate, real time VO2, VO2 max with high intensity exercise, sub-maximal VO2 of various exercise intensities, allowing us to measure human metabolic rate in various testing situations.  Resting metabolic rate can also be calculated from the required oxygen consumption of an individual at rest.  From the oxygen consumption values within various testing conditions, energy expenditure can be calculated in calories. 

Cardio-respiratory Efficiency

Cardio-respiratory efficiency relates to how effective your cardiovascular and respiratory systems are at delivery oxygen to the working tissues.  The effectiveness of the cardio-respiratory system relies on a strong cardiac output (heart rate x stroke volume).  A higher stroke volume would supply greater amounts of oxygen per heart beat.  The arterial-venous difference will be indicative of the level of oxygen extracted from the tissues.  After prolonged, regular training many adaptations occur within the cardio-respiratory system which increases cardio-respiratory efficiency and effectiveness.  The muscle surrounding the left ventricle begins to grow and strengthen; increasing the chamber size and producing a greater force per contraction.  Regular endurance training is regarded as an important stimulant for this adaptation. Stroke volume is increased due to the hypertrophy of the left ventricle initiating a more forceful contraction. An increase in contractility and elastic recoil enhances diastolic filling and increases the amount of blood ejected per heart beat.  The increased amount of blood that enters the chambers is forced out increasing stroke volume.  Due to the increase in left ventricle mass and force the heart rate slows as an individual adapts to training. They can supply a higher level of oxygen per heart beat due to the increased stroke volume and contractility of the left ventricle.  Resting heart rate becomes lower and the heart rate recovery time is reduced. 
The vascular system also adapts to prolonged training to supply greater levels of oxygen. An Increase in capillaries of trained muscles, greater lumen size of the capillaries and more effective blood distribution occur as a result.  The increased number of capillaries surrounding the muscles tissue allows for greater blood flow for diffusion into the muscle tissue.  Blood volume increases due to the release of anti-diuretic hormone and aldosterone which cause the kidneys to retain water.  Also the plasma proteins begin to increase, enhancing osmotic pressure and water retention.  An increase in red blood cells improves the blood oxygen carrying capacity. 
In terms of the respiratory system lung volumes are improved slightly with training.  Pulmonary ventilation is increased considerably in trained athletes perhaps due to an increase in tidal volume and a respiratory rate at maximal exercise.  Pulmonary diffusion is increased in trained individuals due to increased lung perfusion and ventilator rate.  The arterial- venous difference is increased perhaps as a result of greater blood distribution via increased capillary density and the muscles ability to extract oxygen.

Ergometry

Ergometry is the scientific field, which describes exercise capacity in humans. Ergometry is a section of the scholastic discipline exercise physiology. Exercise capacity for physiological reasons is divided into sections. Energy output during: endurance activity, and/or short intense periods of exercise. Nerve & muscle function related to: muscle volume and/or muscle fibre composition and psycho-physical features. These three areas taken together, measured objectively for an individual will describe their individual exercise capacity profile. Exercise stress testing is the corner stone of ergometry.

Max VO2

Oxygen consumption is the amount of oxygen taken up and utilized by the body.  The oxygen taken into the body at the level of the lungs is ultimately used for the production of ATP in the mitochondria of our cells.  Because most of the energy in the body is produced aerobically, VO2 can be used to determine how much energy an individual is expending.  VO2 can be reported in absolute terms (L/min) or relative to body mass (ml/kg*min).  Oxygen consumption is dependent on the pulmonary diffusion capacity, the ability of the heart to pump out blood, the carrying capacity of the blood and the ability of the tissues to extract oxygen from the blood. Maximal oxygen consumption is the highest VO2 value recorded during maximal exercise. Various indicators can be used to determine whether or not the peak VO2 value during the test can truly be considered a maximal value.  VO2max is thought to be the best indicator of aerobic capacity and therefore of aerobic fitness. It is also a relatively good predictor of endurance performance (however it is not the only predictor of performance). The highest absolute VO2max values recorded have been in large endurance athletes, such as elite heavyweight rowers (values of over 7L/min have been recorded), whereas the highest relative VO2max values are typically recorded in small endurance athletes such as cross-country skiers, cyclists, and distance and middle distance runners (values of up to 90ml/kg*min have been recorded).   VO2max can increase with training.  An untrained individual may be able to increase VO2max by as much as 15-20%.  However, in well trained athletes increases in VO2max may not be as great (they are near their peak already). Fortunately for these athletes, with continued training they can become more efficient (economical), such that they can go faster for a given oxygen consumption. Additionally, the percent of VO2max that the athlete can sustain for prolonged periods of time is also very trainable rdiovascular or pulmonary limitations to exercise. 

Oxygen Uptake

Oxygen uptake is the rate at which oxygen is utilised by the tissues. An athlete or individual that trains regularly will progressively undergo physiological adaptations within the tissues to increase oxygen extractability and therefore energy production.  Increases in mitochondria, myoglobin and oxidative enzymes will occur enhancing the availability of oxygen for the working muscles and increasing the energy produced.  Increases in the metabolic systems will enhance VO2 max allowing for greater oxygen to be utilized at a higher intensity of exercise.