CAUTION: As with any other piece of user-interactive exercise equipment, certain considerations
must be ensured before anyone is allowed to exercise on the Biodex BioStep. Following is a brief
summary of some points to consider.
1. All users should have medical clearance prior to undertaking any rigorous exercise program. This is
especially necessary for any user with a past history of heart rate problems or known risk factors
including: family history of cardiovascular disease, elevated blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, diabetes,
obesity, sedentary lifestyle and smoking.
2. Start each user at a safe exercise level. Do not allow users to overexert themselves on the BioStep.
Symptoms of overexertion may include, but are not limited to: pain or discomfort, shortness of breath
or difficulty in breathing.
3. Prior to starting any exercise session, ensure that the user is comfortably seated. Be sure to adjust the
seat front-to-back and adjustment arm length as necessary. Mechanical adjustments are described in
detail in the Mechanical Adjustments section of this manual.
4. Warm-up and warm-down periods are necessary to avoid suddenly taxing the heart and circulation
system, and to help prevent injury to the muscles or joints. Sufficient warm-up and warm-down peri-
ods have also been shown to reduce muscle soreness following exercise. Be sure to allow for a minimum
of three to five minutes of gradually increasing exercise intensity prior to starting the actual exercise
session and a similar amount of time of decreasing exercise intensity following each session.
WHAT IS A MET?
The acronym MET stands for "metabolic equivalents"
METs are a unit of measurement that estimate the amount of physical demand placed on a per-
son’s cardiopulmonary system. METs are often used in prescribing exercise for patients involved
in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation.
The MET level at which one exercises, is directly proportional to the amount of oxygen being
consumed, the amount of power (WATTs) accomplished, and the amount of calories burned
while exercising.
1 MET is equal to the amount of oxygen the body consumes at rest (lying down). The amount of
oxygen one consumes at rest is estimated to be approximately 3.5 ml of oxygen for each kilo-
gram of body weight every minute or 3.5 ml/kg/min.
Each increase in energy expenditure of 3.5 ml/kg/min. is increasing one’s energy expenditure
by 1 MET.
MET charts have been developed by researchers to estimate the MET levels of domestic and
recreational activities. These estimations are generalizations as to how many times an individual
needs to elevate their metabolic rate (METs) to accomplish such activities.
The American College of Sports Medicine has published formulas to estimate the oxygen cost of
exercising at various work loads on treadmills, lower body cycles, upper body cycles, stepping,
and outdoor walking and running. MET levels can be determined by simply dividing oxygen
consumption in ml/kg/min. by 3.5.
10. ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS — 24 —
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