Development of an On-Water Graded Exercise Test for Flat-Water Sprint Kayak Athletes

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 1244-1249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chelsie E. Winchcombe ◽  
Martyn J. Binnie ◽  
Matthew M. Doyle ◽  
Cruz Hogan ◽  
Peter Peeling

Purpose: To determine the reliability and validity of a power-prescribed on-water (OW) graded exercise test (GXT) for flat-water sprint kayak athletes. Methods: Nine well-trained sprint kayak athletes performed 3 GXTs in a repeated-measures design. The initial GXT was performed on a stationary kayak ergometer in the laboratory (LAB). The subsequent 2 GXTs were performed OW (OW1 and OW2) in an individual kayak. Power output (PWR), stroke rate, blood lactate, heart rate, oxygen consumption, and rating of perceived exertion were measured throughout each test. Results: Both PWR and oxygen consumption showed excellent test–retest reliability between OW1 and OW2 for all 7 stages (intraclass correlation coefficient > .90). The mean results from the 2 OW GXTs (OWAVE) were then compared with LAB, and no differences in oxygen consumption across stages were evident (P ≥ .159). PWR was higher for OWAVE than for LAB in all stages (P ≤ .021) except stage 7 (P = .070). Conversely, stroke rate was lower for OWAVE than for LAB in all stages (P < .010) except stage 2 (P = .120). Conclusions: The OW GXT appears to be a reliable test in well-trained sprint kayak athletes. Given the differences in PWR and stroke rate between the LAB and OW tests, an OW GXT may provide more specific outcomes for OW training.

Author(s):  
Anja Großek ◽  
Thomas Elter ◽  
Max Oberste ◽  
Florian Wolf ◽  
Niklas Joisten ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Physical activity promises to reduce disease-related symptoms and therapy-related side effects in patients suffering from aggressive lymphoma (L) or acute leukemia (AL). For an efficient training program, determination of patients’ physical capacity with a purposive exercise test is crucial. Here, we evaluated the feasibility and suitability of a graded exercise test (GXT) frequently applied in patients suffering from solid tumors by assessing whether patients achieved criteria for maximal exercise testing according to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Methods The GXT was performed by 51 patients with an aggressive L or AL prior to the start or in the earliest possible phase of high-dose chemotherapy, following a recommended protocol for cancer patients, starting at 20 Watts (W), with an increase of 10 W/min until volitional exhaustion. Subsequently, we investigated whether the following ACSM criteria were fulfilled: (1) failure of heart rate to increase despite increasing workload, (2) post-exercise capillary lactate concentration ≥ 8.0 mmol L−1, (3) rating of perceived exertion at exercise cessation > 17 on the 6–20 Borg Scale. Results Out of 51 patients, two, six, and 35 participants met the first, second, and third criterion, respectively. No relevant relationships between the completion of the criteria and patients’ characteristics (e.g., gender, age) were found. Conclusion Although results of this study suggest a general feasibility of the applied GXT, the ACSM criteria were not met by the majority of the participants. Therefore, this study raises doubts about the suitability of the GXT protocol and the ACSM criteria for this group of patients.


Author(s):  
Hannah F. Sangan ◽  
James G. Hopker ◽  
Glen Davison ◽  
Shaun J. McLaren

Purpose: To assess the reliability and construct validity of a self-paced, submaximal run test (SRTRPE) for monitoring aerobic fitness. The SRTRPE monitors running velocity (v), heart rate (HRex), and blood lactate concentration (B[La]), during three 3-minute stages prescribed by ratings of perceived exertion (RPEs) of 10, 13, and 17. Methods: Forty (14 female) trained endurance runners completed a treadmill graded exercise test for the determination of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), v at VO2max (vVO2max), and v at 2 mmol·L−1 (vLT1) and 4 mmol·L−1 (vLT2) B[La]. Within 7 days, participants completed the SRTRPE. Convergent validity between the SRTRPE and graded exercise test parameters was assessed through linear regression. Eleven participants completed a further 2 trials of the SRTRPE within a 72-hour period to quantify test–retest reliability. Results: There were large correlations between v at all stages of the SRTRPE and VO2max (r range = .57–.63), vVO2max (.50–.66), and vLT2 (.51–.62), with vRPE 17 displaying the strongest associations (r > .60). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC3,1) were moderate to high for parameters v (range = .76–.84), HRex (.72–.92), and %HRmax (.64–.89) at all stages of the SRTRPE. The corresponding coefficients of variation were 2.5% to 5.6%. All parameters monitored at intensity RPE 17 displayed the greatest reliability. Conclusions: The SRTRPE was shown to be a valid and reliable test for monitoring parameters associated with aerobic fitness, displaying the potential of this submaximal, time-efficient test to monitor responses to endurance training.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hoi Lam Ng ◽  
Johannes Trefz ◽  
Martin Schönfelder ◽  
Henning Wackerhage

Abstract Background: Face masks are an effective, non-pharmacological strategy to reduce the transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and other pathogens. However, it is a challenge to keep masks sealed during exercise, as ventilation can increase from 5-10 L/min at rest to up to 200 L/min so that masks may be blown away from the face. To reduce leakage e.g. during exercise, a face mask was developed that is taped onto the face. The aim of this study was to investigate during a graded cycle ergometry test the effect of a taped mask on the perception of breathlessness, heart rate, lactate, and oxygen saturation when compared to a surgical mask and no mask.Methods: Four trained and healthy males and females each (n=8 in total) performed incremental cycle ergometer tests until voluntary exhaustion under three conditions: (1) No mask/control, (2) surgical mask or (3) taped mask. During these tests, we measured perception of breathlessness, heart rate, the concentration of blood lactate and peripheral oxygen saturation and analysed the resultant data with one or two-way repeated measures ANOVAs. We also used a questionnaire to evaluate mask comfort and analysed the data with paired t-tests. Results: When compared to wearing no mask, a taped face mask significantly reduces the maximal workload in a graded exercise test by 12±6% (p=0.001). Moreover, with a taped face mask, subjects perceive severe breathlessness at 12±9% lower workload (p=0.012) and oxygen saturation at 65% of the maximal workload is 1.5% lower (p=0.018) when compared to wearing no mask. Heart rate and the concentration of lactate were not significantly different at any workload. When compared to wearing a surgical mask, wearing a taped face mask has a significantly better wearing comfort (p=0.038), feels better on the skin (p=0.004), there is a lower sensation of moisture (p=0.026) and wearers perceive that less heat is generated (p=0.021). We found no sex/gender differences for any parameters. Conclusions: A taped mask is well tolerated during light and moderate exercise intensity but reduces maximal exercise capacity.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Megan Wagner ◽  
Kevin D. Dames

Context: Bodyweight-supporting treadmills are popular rehabilitation tools for athletes recovering from impact-related injuries because they reduce ground reaction forces during running. However, the overall metabolic demand of a given running speed is also reduced, meaning athletes who return to competition after using such a device in rehabilitation may not be as fit as they had been prior to their injury. Objective: To explore the metabolic effects of adding incline during bodyweight-supported treadmill running. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Research laboratory. Participants: Fourteen apparently healthy, recreational runners (6 females and 8 males; 21 [3] y, 1.71 [0.08] m, 63.11 [6.86] kg). Interventions: The participants performed steady-state running trials on a bodyweight-supporting treadmill at 8.5 mph. The control condition was no incline and no bodyweight support. All experimental conditions were at 30% bodyweight support. The participants began the sequence of experimental conditions at 0% incline; this increased to 1%, and from there on, 2% incline increases were introduced until a 15% grade was reached. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare all bodyweight-support conditions against the control condition. Main Outcome Measures: Oxygen consumption, heart rate, and rating of perceived exertion. Results: Level running with 30% bodyweight support reduced oxygen consumption by 21.6% (P < .001) and heart rate by 12.0% (P < .001) compared with the control. Each 2% increase in incline with bodyweight support increased oxygen consumption by 6.4% and heart rate by 3.2% on average. A 7% incline elicited similar physiological measures as the unsupported, level condition. However, the perceived intensity of this incline with bodyweight support was greater than the unsupported condition (P < .001). Conclusions: Athletes can maintain training intensity while running on a bodyweight-supporting treadmill by introducing incline. Rehabilitation programs should rely on quantitative rather than qualitative data to drive exercise prescription in this modality.


2009 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 1150-1153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy B. J. Coquart ◽  
Christine Lemaire ◽  
Alain-Eric Dubart ◽  
Claire Douillard ◽  
David-Pol Luttenbacher ◽  
...  

2013 ◽  
Vol 38 (12) ◽  
pp. 1211-1216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexis R. Mauger ◽  
Alan J. Metcalfe ◽  
Lee Taylor ◽  
Paul C. Castle

The novel self-paced, cycle-based maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max) test (SPV) has been shown to produce higher V̇O2max values than standard graded exercise test (GXT) protocols. This study sought to ascertain whether these observations would also be apparent in a self-paced, treadmill-based test design. Fourteen trained male runners performed a standard GXT on a motorised treadmill and a self-paced V̇O2max test on a nonmotorised treadmill in a counter-balanced design. The GXT included a plateau verification and was designed to last between 8 and 12 min. The self-paced test included 5 × 2 min stages and allowed participants to set their own running speed based on fixed increments in rating of perceived exertion. Significantly higher V̇O2max values (t[13] = 3.71, p = 0.003) were achieved in the self-paced test (64.4 ± 7.3 mL·kg−1·min−1) compared with the GXT (61.3 ± 7.3 mL·kg−1·min−1), and 13 of the 14 participants achieved the same or higher V̇O2max values in the self-paced test. Higher (p = 0.01) maximum heart rates were observed in the GXT (191 ± 10 beats·min−1 vs. 187 ± 7 beats·min−1), but no differences were observed in any other recorded variables. The self-paced V̇O2max test may provide a more valid means of measuring V̇O2max than the GXT and suggests that a V̇O2 plateau during a GXT does not always signify achievement of a definitive V̇O2max. These results provide further support that self-paced V̇O2max testing produces higher values for maximal oxygen uptake.


2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 176-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
A T White ◽  
T E Wilson ◽  
S L Davis ◽  
J H Petajan

Many individuals with MS experience heat sensitivity that may be associated with transient increases in the frequency of clinical signs and symptoms. Although physical activity may be beneficial for those with MS, induced thermal loads may preclude participation in exercise and other daily activities. This project was designed to evaluate the effects of precooling on physical function. Six thermosensitive MS patients were studied. Participants performed a graded exercise test to determine maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) on a combined arm-leg ergometer. Thermal load was induced by 30 min of exercise under noncooled and precooled conditions at a workrate corresponding to 60% VO2max. Precooling consisted of 30 min lower body immersion in 16-178C water. Fatigue and 25-ft walk performance were assessed before, immediately after, and 30 min following exercise. No treatment differences in VO2 were observed. Rectal temperature, heart rate, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were significantly lower during the precooled exercise trial compared to the noncooled trial. Immediately following exercise, 25-ft walk performance and fatigue scores showed significantly greater deterioration in the noncooled condition. Precooling was effective in preventing gains in core temperature with physical work and may allow heat-sensitive individuals with MS to exercise with greater physical comfort.


1999 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 434-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel N. Cheuvront ◽  
Robert J. Moffatt ◽  
Kyle D. Biggerstaff ◽  
Shawn Bearden ◽  
Paul McDonough

Claims that ENDUROX™ enhances performance by altering metabolic responses to exercise were tested. In a double-blind crossover design, 10 male subjects were randomly assigned to consume 400 mg of placebo or 800 mg ENDUROX™ for 7 days. Cycle ergometry was performed for 30 minutes at 25%, followed by 10 min at 65% of peak oxygen consumption. After a 1-week washout period, subjects performed the identical exercise protocol following 7 days of reciprocal supplemental conditions. Expired gases were collected and analyzed continuously for oxygen consumption, minute ventilation, and respiratory exchange ratio. Heart rate, blood pressure, rating of perceived exertion, blood lactate, and serum glycerol data were also collected at regular intervals. A two-way ANOVA with repeated measures revealed no significant main or interaction effects involving group differences (p > 0.05) between trials for any variable during rest, 25% or 65% (VO2 peak), or recovery. Our findings do not support the ergogenic claims for ENDUROX™.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document