Universal fitness testing system

Details Universal fitness testing system Universal fitness testing system

1991-01-23

1992-10-27

Howell, Kyle L.

Surgery

Truss

Pad

128668, 128 25R, 128671, 128670, 128680, A61B 502

Patent

active

051580934

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention pertains to the general field of aerobic fitness testing and more particularly to a universal fitness testing system that provides aerobic fitness information after a 30-second exercise test which utilizes heart rate reactions.


BACKGROUND ART

Aerobic fitness, the ability to sustain endurance type work for prolonged periods, is the major factor in physical fitness. This capacity is usually expressed in walking, running, swimming and related activities and is determined by the measurement of maximum O.sub.2 uptake (Vo.sub.2 max). Two aspects of Vo.sub.2 max are important: absolute Vo.sub.2 max, the maximum amount of oxygen that one is able to consume during the performance of maximal work, expressed in liters/minute of oxygen (1/min); and relative Vo.sub.2 max, which is the absolute Vo.sub.2 max divided by body weight and expressed in milliliters of oxygen per body weight per minute (ml/kg.multidot.min). Absolute Vo.sub.2 max represents fitness where body weight is not a factor in performance such as during swimming, lifting, cycling, and the like. Relative Vo.sub.2 max represents fitness where body weight is lifted during performance such as in walking, running, hiking and the like. There is a large body of knowledge showing that Vo.sub.2 max is positively related to good health and longevity. A direct determination of Vo.sub.2 max, however, requires an expensive laboratory setting and is beyond the reach of most persons.
During the past half century, several attempts have been made to predict endurance fitness in adults. These early tests were based on heart rates that were manually recorded during recovery from a standard exercise, which were very inaccurate and did not include any standards. Later tests considered work load and heart rate for the prediction of Vo.sub.2 max, and this has remained the basis for all such tests. The physiological basis for the latter tests is simple: mechanical work load is proportional to oxygen uptake (energy expenditure), with little variability. Mechanical work load can easily be determined when performing on a bicycle ergometer (it equals the resistance to cycling); in an uphill walk or run on a treadmill (height to which body weight is lifted), or in stepping where work load is determined as in an uphill walk. Thus, oxygen uptake can accurately be determined by the performance of the above types of work. It is also known that heart rate increases linearly with an increase in oxygen uptake. If heart rate is recorded during at least two different work loads, and the former is plotted against the latter, a best fit straight line is drawn through these points and an extrapolation is made to the assumed maximal heart rate of the individual, which is age related. This point corresponds to the Vo.sub.2 max of the individual. Thus, low heart rates recorded during the submaximal loads indicate a high Vo.sub.2 max, while high heart rates indicate a low Vo.sub.2 max.
The most famous test for Vo.sub.2 max prediction was presented by .ANG.strand I (aerobic work capacity in men and women with special reference to age. Acta Physiol. Scan. 1960; 49, Supp. 196). The test consisted of exercising at one load on a bicycle ergometer and then measuring the heart rate after 5 or 6 minutes. Correlation tests conducted on a large number of men and women showed good correspondence with Vo.sub.2 max determined directly. The disadvantages of this test are similar to those of other tests of the same category. It is necessary to perform at least five minutes of strenuous work to determine equilibrium heart rate since it takes at least five minutes for the heart rate to level off at a particular submaximal work load. This method of determining the equilibrium heart rate has several other disadvantages: it is strenuous for most people; the presence of a specialized stationary bicycle ergometer is necessary; the fitness scores are based on only a Swedish population that may not apply to other populations; and the test is applicable to adults only.
Other tests for the

REFERENCES:
patent: 4807639 (1989-02-01), Shimizu et al.
patent: 4860763 (1989-08-01), Schminke
patent: 4976424 (1990-12-01), Sargeant et al.
patent: 4998725 (1991-03-01), Watterson et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Universal fitness testing system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Universal fitness testing system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Universal fitness testing system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-900257