Health & Medical Question

Aerobic Fitness Aerobic metabolism is the dominant energy system for events that typically last for more than a couple of minutes. Therefore, the aerobic pathway is dominant in events such as the mile or mile-and-a-half walk/run. Oxygen is delivered to the working muscles from the respiratory system via the cardiovascular system. The muscles use the oxygen to provide sufficient amounts of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to perform power strokes (myosin pulling acting toward the center of the sarcomere), resulting in contraction of muscles. Without sufficient oxygen, muscular action cannot be sustained. Therefore, the athlete who can supply the highest rate of oxygen to the muscles will be able to perform at the highest level, other factors being equal. When it is not feasible or wise to actually measure oxygen consumption in a lab setting, or if the intent of the test is just to classify a person’s aerobic endurance for general purposes, various methods are available to estimate or predict maximal oxygen consumption. It is important to remember that these methods have value in measuring functional aerobic fitness, but are usually not considered replacement tests for direct measurement of oxygen consumption. Various prediction methods include submaximal tests that can be performed using treadmills, cycle ergometers, or filed tests. The least expensive of these methods are the field tests. The most common field tests of cardiorespiratory fitness are aerobic walk/run tests. Three popular field tests include the Rockport Walk Test, the 1.5 mile/12 Minute Test, and the AAHPERD Run Test. Rockport Walk Test The Rockport Walk Test is a viable way to predict cardiovascular (cardiorespiratory) fitness, especially in sedentary individuals. Participants weigh themselves in walking attire. They then walk as fast as they can – holding a sustained pace – for one mile. At the end of the walk, they immediately count their pulse (15 seconds) and multiply by 4 to determine final exercise heart rate. Maximal oxygen consumption is then estimated using a prediction equation. Maximal oxygen consumption (milliliters/kilogram/minute) = 132.85 – (0.1692 X body mass (wt. in kg.)) – (0.3877 X age (years)) + (6.315 X gender) – (3.2649 X time (minutes + seconds as a decimal)) – (0.1565 X heart rate (per minute)) Gender = 0 for women, 1 for men Body mass = weight in walking clothes expressed as kilograms 132.85 – (0.1692 X _____) – (0.3877 X _____) + (6.315 X ____) – (3.2649 X ____) – (0.1565 X ____) = __________ml/kg/min. Define or describe the term maximal oxygen consumption. List three reasons why field tests are useful or feasible for determining max VO2 levels. List three shortcomings of field tests such as the Rockport Walk Test. The average aerobic capacity is 50 ml/kg/min for men and 40 ml/kg/min for women. How does your measure compare with these? Explain any difference you have between your measure and the average. Requirements: 300+