FOUR TYPES

OF VO2 MAX
TESTING 
By: Katie Hayes
Period: 1
BALKE MODIFIED FIELD TEST
Method: 
1) Subject runs to exhaustion using exactly 15 minutes of elapsed time.  Since it is on the track, the distance can be accurately determined.

2) Record the distance in meters or convert to meters if the test was done on a trail using mileage.  There are 1609 meters in a mile. 

3) Total meters are divided by 15 to get meters per minute.

4) The first 150 meters of each running minute is called the base constant value because it is mainly an association of anaerobic energy contribution
and homeostasis of life that has little correlation with one’s aerobic capacity.  The base constant value for all subjects will be standardized at 33.3
ml of oxygen per kg of body mass per min (33.3 ml/kg/min).
5) For each subsequent meter run beyond 150 meters each minute, multiply by 0.178 ml/kg/min.  Unlike the base constant value, this value will be
linked to individual aerobic capacity.
6) Add the calculated value from step 7 to the base constant value to determine the individual’s VO2 max.

Equipment: Flat oval or running track, marking cones, recording sheets, and a stopwatch.

Length of Test: 15 minutes
Cost of Test: Not specified
Validity of Test: Depends on the amount of practice, pacing strategies, and motivation level of the participants. There should be good reliability for
the test if these issues are addressed.
Primary Population: Can be modified to be suitable for most populations.
CHESTER STEP TEST
Method: 
Set the metronome to 15 beats/minute
The athlete steps up and down, one foot at a time, onto the box for 2 minutes
After 2 minutes set the metronome to 20 beats/min
The assistance records the athlete's heart rate (HR1)
The athlete identifies their perceived exertion value on the Borg Scale
If the heart rate is higher than the athlete's MHR80 value or their perceived exertion value is higher than 14 then stop the test

The athlete steps up and down, one foot at a time, onto the box for 2 minutes
After 2 minutes set the metronome to 25 beats/min
The assistance records the athlete's heart rate (HR2)
The athlete identifies their perceived exertion value on the Borg Scale
If the heart rate is higher than the athlete's MHR80 value or their perceived exertion value is higher than 14 then stop the test

The athlete steps up and down, one foot at a time, onto the box for 2 minutes
After 2 minutes set the metronome to 30 beats/min
The assistance records the athlete's heart rate (HR3)
The athlete identifies their perceived exertion value on the Borg Scale
If the heart rate is higher than the athlete's MHR80 value or their perceived exertion value is higher than 14 then stop the test
CHESTER STEP TEST
The athlete steps up and down, one foot at a time, onto the box for 2 minutes
After 2 minutes set the metronome to 35 beats/min
The assistant records the athlete's heart rate (HR4)
The athlete identifies their perceived exertion value on the Borg Scale
If the heart rate is higher than the athlete's MHR80 value or their perceived exertion value is higher than 14 then stop the test

The athlete steps up and down, one foot at a time, onto the box for 2 minutes
After 2 minutes stop the test and record the athlete's heart rate (HR5)
Equipment: Stopwatch, Metronome or cadence tape, heart rate monitor, Borg 6-20 perceived exertion table, an assistant, and a Step that is 15cm - is
generally suitable for those over 40 years of age who take little or no regular physical exercise and for those under-40's who are moderately
overweight. 20cm - is generally suitable for those under 40 years of age who take little or no regular physical exercise and for those under-40s who
are moderately overweight. 25cm - is generally suitable for those over 40 years of age who regularly take physical exercise with moderately
vigorous exertion. 30cm - generally suitable for those under 40 years of age who regularly take physical exercise with moderately vigorous
exertion.
Length of Test: 10 minutes
Cost of Test: Not specified
Validity of Test: The Chester step test was shown to be a valid test for the estimation of aerobic capacity within this group. The error of
measurement is sufficiently small and suggests that this method is well suited to monitoring changes in aerobic capacity in rehabilitation settings.
Primary Population: This test is suitable for active and sedentary athletes but not for individuals where the test would be contraindicated.
ASTRAND CYCLE ERGOMETER SUBMAXIMAL TEST
Method: 

1) Allow the subject to warm up on the cycle ergometer for 2 to 3 minutes with a resistance of 0 kg and at a cadence of 50.

2) Following this, the subject pedals for 6 minutes at a workload chosen to try and elicit a steady-state heart rate between 125 and 170 bpm. As a
guide, the initial workload for men is between 300-600 kp/m/min (unconditioned) and 600-900 (conditioned). For women, 300-450 kp/m/min
(unconditioned) and 450-600 (conditioned).

3) Record heart rate every minute during the test. If the heart rate at 5 and 6 minutes is not within 5 beats/min, continue for one extra minute. If the
steady-state heart rate achieved is not between 125 and 170 bpm, adjust the workload appropriately and continue for a second 6 minute period.
Otherwise, the test is completed.
Equipment: Cycle ergometer, clock or stopwatch, heart rate monitor, ECG monitor (optional)
Length of Test: 6 minutes
Cost of Test: Not specified
Validity of Test: The correlation to VO2max is approximately 0.85 - 0.90.

Primary Population: The age correction factor ranges from those the ages of 15-65.
YMCA SUBMAX CYCLE ERGOMETER
TEST
Method: 

1) The subject pedals on the cycle ergometer for 3 minutes at a resistance of 0 kg and a cadence of 50 (this is the warm-up).

2) The subject then pedals for 3 minutes at 150 kgm/min (0.5 kg, 50 cadence). Record the heart rate at 2 minutes and 3 minutes. If these heart rate
values are not within 5 bpm, continue for another minute and record the heart rate at 4 minutes.

3) Based on the steady-state heart rate (HR) reached, increase the workload for the second stage based on the details listed in the table below.
(note: 6 kgm/min = 1 Watt).

4) For workloads beyond the 4th stage, increase the intensity by 25 watts (0.5 Kp) until the termination heart rate is reached (85% of age-predicted
max).

5) Cool down after the last stage has been completed.

Equipment:  Cycle ergometer, clock or stopwatch, heart rate monitor, ECG monitor (optional), metronome (for pedal cadence).
Length of Test: 6-12 minutes
Cost of Test: Not specified
Validity of Test: Previous work has indicated that the YMCA cycle test provides a valid and reliable estimate of VO 2 max in healthy individuals
(Beekley et al., 2004; McArdle et al., 2010).  
Primary Population: Fit males and females ages 19-31.