©2014 AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EXERCISE@

THIS TEST ESTIMATES V• O2MAX USING A SINGLE-STAGE, SIX-MINUTE

submaximal cycling protocol. It is a single-stage test and relatively simple to perform. Because it is easier to administer than the YMCA bike test, this test may be a more appropriate choice for trainers who are new to cycle-ergometer testing. Consider, however, that inexperienced riders might find riding at a moderate-to-hard intensity for six minutes fatiguing.

Equipment:• Cycle ergometer • HR monitor with chest strap• Metronome (optional)• Stopwatch• Sphygmomanometer• RPE chartPre-test procedure:• Estimate 85% of MHR [based on 208 –

(0.7 x Age)] and record the value on the testing form. If an HR strap and monitor are unavailable, calculate a 10-second count for this value. For safety reasons, it is up to the tester to ensure that the client does not exceed this HR limit.

• Measure and record the client’s weight and convert that value to kg by dividing the weight by 2.2.

• Measure and record a seated, resting BP.• Discuss RPE and remind the client that he or she will be asked for

perceived exertion levels throughout the test. • Adjust the seat height and record the seat position for future tests to

ensure consistency between tests: 3 Position the pedal at the bottom of a revolution so that the crank

arm is orientated vertically. Have the client place the heel of the foot on the pedal. The knee should be almost straight (5 to 10 degrees of flexion) in this position, with the ankle held in neutral (i.e., the toes should not be pointed in either direction). Test results may be inaccurately low if the seat is set too low.

3 The seat and pedal position should be comfortable for the client. • If a cadence meter is available on the bike, instruct the client to ride

at 50 rpm. If it is unavailable, use a metronome set to 100 bpm to coincide with each pedal stroke.

• Allow for a two- to three-minute warm-up period at a low intensity (2- or 3-out-of-10 effort) to allow the client to practice and

CYCLE ERGOMETER TESTING

familiarize him- or herself with the cadence. There should be no tension on the cycle during the warm-up.

• Inform the client that the test will be six minutes in length, during which time he or she will attempt to maintain an HRss between 120 and 170 bpm to ensure test validity (ACSM, 2014). The test can be stopped if the client exceeds 85% of age-predicted MHR or cannot

maintain the cadence. The client can stop the test at any time and for any reason, but especially if he or she experiences chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or nausea.

Test protocol and administration: •Recommendatwo-tothree-minutewarm-up

to achieve an HRss slightly above 120 bpm to determine an appropriate test intensity.

•Theworkloadshouldbedeterminedbytheclient’s gender and physical condition. The following workloads are used throughout the entire six minutes.

3 Male, unconditioned: 300 to 600 kilogram-meters per minute (kgm/min) (50 to 100 watts)

3 Male, conditioned: 600 to 900 kgm/min (100 to 150 watts)

3 Female, unconditioned: 300 to 450 kgm/min (50 to 75 watts)3 Female, conditioned: 450 to 600 kgm/min (75 to 100 watts)

• After the first and second minutes, measure HR and adjust intensity accordingly:3 Increase the exercise intensity/cycle resistance if the HR is

below 120 bpm.3 Decrease exercise intensity/cycle resistance if the HR is near

170 bpm.• Instruct the client to maintain a steady pace throughout the test.

Record RPE and HR at each minute to ensure the client is staying within the recommended target heart-rate range (THRR). Blood pressure should be assessed and recorded at the four-minute mark. Record the client’s HR at minute 5 and minute 6. These values will be averaged and used for determining V

• O2max.

• Once the test is completed, the client should cool down at a reduced workload for three to five minutes, until HR and breathing rate return to normal. The trainer should continue to observe the client, as negative symptoms can arise immediately post-exercise.

ContraindicationsCycle ergometer testing should be

avoided when working with:• Obese individuals who are not

comfortable on the standard seats or are physically unable to pedal at the appropriate cadence

• Individuals with orthopedic problems that limit knee range of motion (ROM) to less than 110 degrees

• Individuals with neuromuscular problems who cannot maintain a cadence of 50 rotations per minute (rpm)

ASTRAND-RYHMING (A-R) CYCLE ERGOMETER TEST

©2014 AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EXERCISE@

• Using the Astrand-Ryhming nomogram, draw a line from the averaged pulse rate through the V

• O2max and to the workload used for

the test, either male or female. The place where the line intersects the

V• O2max is used to determine the client’s maximum oxygen uptake.

• V• O2max value must then be age-adjusted using the correction

factors listed in the table below. To calculate the estimated V• O2max,

the age correction factor is multiplied by the V• O2max value from

the nomogram. • Record the value on the testing form.• Convert to mL/kg/min and use Table 8-12 of the ACE Personal

Trainer Manual (5th Edition) to rank the client’s maximum oxygen uptake.

V• O2MAX CORRECTION FACTORS

Age Correction Factor

15 1.10

25 1.00

35 0.87

40 0.83

45 0.78

50 0.75

55 0.71

60 0.68

65 0.65

Pulse RateMen Women

—–

—–

—–

—–

—–

—–

—–

—–

—–

—–

—–

—–

—–

—–

—–

—

170

166

162

158

154

150

146

142

138

134

130

126

122

172

168

164

160

156

152

148

144

140

136

132

128

124

120

–––

––

––

––

––

––

––

––––––––

1.6

2.0

2.4

2.8

3.2

3.6

4.0

4.44.8

5.25.6

6.0

1.8

2.2

2.6

3.0

3.4

3.84.2

4.65.0

5.45.8

V•

O2max L

Step Test 33 cm 40 cm Women Men

(weight, kg)

V•

O2 L

Work Load(kg/min)

Women Men– 0.8–– 0.9–– 1.0–– 1.1–– 1.2–– 1.3–– 1.4–– 1.5–– 1.6–– 1.7–– 1.8–– 1.9–– 2.0–– 2.1–– 2.2–– 2.3–– 2.4–– 2.5–– 2.6–– 2.7–– 2.8–– 2.9–– 3.0–– 3.1–– 3.2–– 3.3–– 3.4–– 3.5

40––

50–

–

60–

–

70–

–

80–

–

90–

40–

–

50–

–

60–

–

70–

–

80–

–

90–

–

100–

––300–––––450–––––600–––––750–––––900

– ––300–– –– – 450– –– –– 600 –– ––– 750– –– ––900–– –– –1,050– –– ––1,200–– –– –– –– –– 1,500

Modified Astrand-Ryhming nomogram

American College of Sports Medicine (2014). ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription (9th ed.). Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Used with permission from Astrand, P.O. & Ryhming, I. (1954). A nomogram for calculation of aerobic capacity [physical fitness] from pulse rate during submaximal work. Journal of Applied Physiology, 7, 218–221.

CYCLE ERGOMETER TESTING continued

Sample V•

O2max CalculationDetermine V

•

O2max for a 45-year-old female, weighing 115 pounds (52.3 kg), who completed the Astrand-Ryhming cycle ergometer test at 450 kgm/min (75 watts). Her exercise HR was 142 bpm at the fifth minute and 146 bpm at the sixth minute. The average HR is 144 bpm.

According the nomogram, her V•

O2max is 2.6.After multiplying by the age-correction factor, her

adjusted V•

O2max is 2.028 L/min (2.6 x 0.78 = 2.028). To classify her effort, convert L/min to mL/min: 2.028 L/min x 1000 = 2,028 mL/min. Now divide 2,028 mL/min by her bodyweight of 52.3 kg to yield her V

•

O2max in mL/kg/min: 2.028 L/min / 52.3 kg = 38.8 mL/kg/min, which ranks her in the 80th percentile for women of her age.

American College of Sports Medicine (2014). ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription (9th ed.). Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Astrand, P.O. & Ryhming, I. (1954). A nomogram for calculation of aerobic capacity [physical fitness] from pulse rate during submaximal work. Journal of Applied Physiology, 7, 218–221.