Science of Sport: Fitness Testing - It's For Everyone (Part 2)

Fitness Testing: It's For Everyone (Part 2)

By JAMES RAIA

After Dr. Testa shaved various parts of my chest, more electrodes were attached, I donned a tight-fitting mesh body sleeve (it holds everything together), and I was asked for an estimated best running pace for a 10-kilometer race.

With a 7-minute, 30-second pace per mile as a rough guideline and after some basic treadmill use instructions, the test began at a 10-minute per mile walking pace.

Every four minutes, I had to briefly straddle the treadmill while a painless, brief blood sample was taken from my right earlobe. (The process is similar to a diabetic who pricks their finger for blood-sugar testing.)

With a beginning walking rate of 118 beats per minute, my heart rate rose steadily with the increased pace of the treadmill. Using increments of 30 seconds per mile, I advanced well, took periodic sips of water from a water bottle and sweat profusely.

Running at 7 mph or 8:30 per-mile pace, my heart rate was 163 and my lactate measurement was 2.9. At 8 mph or the predicated maximum pace of 7:30 per-mile pace, my heart rate reached 170 beats per minute. The lactic acid concentration in my blood increased to 4.2 percent. The higher the lactic acid, the quicker the onset of fatigue, a transition from aerobic to anaerobic activity.

Jennifer Neugebauer, one of the exercise physiologists, provided constant encouragement during the test and reassurance when it was complete.

"Why didn't you push me harder?; You should have 'cracked the whip' a little. I could have gone longer," I laughingly said when the treadmill stopped.

"That's what everyone says," Neugebauer replied. "But that's not what the test is really about, just to get to as high as you can. It's not about exhaustion. It's about getting a reading during the various time frames."

Testa also explained that the well-known simple formula of determining maximum heart rate of 220 minus a person's age is often proven irrelevant. Yet in my case, the common formula was nearly exact.

My V02 max test began after a 45-minute rest. Testa showed me how to wear the required headgear and breathing tube, and he attached a medical clothespin to my nose. Physiologists Neugebauer and Gretchen Casazza explained the procedure.

I would only be able to breathe through my mouth into the tube, and the more difficult intervals would be limited to two minutes. Since the breathing apparatus prevents verbal communication, hand signals are used for a patient to self-assess their status after each interval. A "thumbs up" means fine; a slight hand wave means "OK."

Finally I gave a "thumbs down." I had sufficiently drooled into the mouthpiece reservoir and onto the treadmill, and I had reached sufficient exertion.

My V02 max, my body's ability to transport oxygen from the air to the muscles to generate energy was 45.9 milliliters of oxygen per kilogram per minute. My result was 127 percent higher than other indicators had predicted, and it placed me in the mid range (40 to 50) of what Testa described as "fit."

By comparison, competitive age-group athletes generally test between 50-60, national caliber athletes between 60-70 and world class endurance athletes 70 and above.

Grete Waitz, the nine-time New York City Marathon winner, had a V02 max of 73, among the highest ever recorded for women. Armstrong, the five-time and reigning Tour de France titlist, has a V02 max of 83.

With my tests complete,Testa provided a detailed verbal assessment and offered a sports performance workout sheet. It included speed training to long endurance run recommendations.

As a recreational endurance athlete I'm doing fine. But to immediately improve my fitness and performance, a three-to-four pound weight loss and a lowering of my body fat several percentage points is "an immediate and easily accomplished goal."

Testa further detailed I should avoid simple sugars, discontinue late-night eating and consider consuming five smaller meals daily instead of three regular-sized meals.

If I want to become a more competitive athlete, Testa suggested a loss of 13 pounds to my ideal weight of 171.

"We don't make you feel guilty because you are overweight; We are not judges," he said. "But eventually if your weight is not ideal, we have to tell you that."

The rest, of course, as in many areas of life, is an individual's choice.

TALE OF THE TAPE

Name: James Raia
Age: 49
Height: 6-0
Weight: 184.3 pounds
Waist: 36.6 inches
Bicep: 12.4 inches
Body fat: 19.4 percent
Lean Body mass: 148.6 pounds
Fat Mass: 35.7 pounds
thigh skinfold: .76 inches
abdomen skinfold: .74 inches
pectoral skinfold: .94 inches
Maximum heart rate: 170 bpm
V02 max 45.9 ml/lg/min

PROGRAM INFORMATION
UC Davis Sports Performance Program, 2805 J Street, Suite #300, Sacramento, 95816. Tel. (916) 734-6805.
E-mail: sportsperformance@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu
Web site: www.sportsmedicine.ucdavis.edu

To read Part 1, visit: Fitness Testing, Part 1

© Copyright 2003, James Raia

Posted with the permission of James Raia.

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