CardioCoach User Manual | Page 65
Section 4
Quality Test Procedures
Test Quality Score
A graded exercise test evaluates the subject’s fitness over a range of
intensity levels. It is assumed that the intensity level will be increased at
a reasonable rate and will cover a wide range of exercise intensity levels.
A valid test includes measurements of VO
2
, VCO
2
and heart rate
beginning at or near a resting state and at increasing levels of exercise
intensity approaching VO
2
max. The duration at each intensity level
should be sufficiently long to allow for the subject’s physiology to
stabilize at each level.
The CardioCoach provides you with a test quality score that helps you
ensure that your tests meet the minimum standards of a valid graded
exercise test. A valid test will have a test quality score of 100. A lower
score indicates that aspects of the test are inadequate. If your test quality
scores are low, evaluate the following:
1. Is the client starting the test at a near resting state?
2. Is there an adequate time at each exercise level?
3. Has the test continued long enough to approach a maximum effort?
Graded Exercise Tests
The CardioCoach test is done by performing a simple graded exercise test
while CardioCoach measures the client’s oxygen consumption, ventilation,
and heart rate. This section of the manual discusses how to perform a
Graded Exercise Test on various types of equipment.
Definition
During a Graded Exercise Test, the client’s workload (exercise intensity) is
gradually increased from a resting level (or light exercise level) to higher
levels of workload (intensity). The workload is increased in increments at a
set time interval. Figure 1, below, illustrates a Graded Exercise Test.
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