Installation and Settings
CardioCoach PRO User Manual | Page 83
Calorie Calculation
The number of calories expended for a given amount of oxygen consumed
is approximately five calories (0.005 Kcal) for every milliliter of oxygen
consumed. The exact relationship between calories expended and oxygen
consumption is affected by the ratio of carbon dioxide produced by the
body and the amount of oxygen consumed.
Because the volume of oxygen changes depending on the barometric
pressure (elevation above sea level), the room temperature where the
measurement is made and the humidity of the exhaled air, it is necessary to
convert all measurements to a standard temperature and pressure.
Adjusting measurements to standard conditions is called STPD, (Standard
Temperature and Pressure Dry) correction. The CardioCoach measures
barometric pressure, relative humidity and temperature during each
automatic calibration cycle. Using these measured parameters, the
CardioCoach automatically converts all VO₂ and metabolic rate
measurements to standard (STPD) conditions.
Anaerobic Threshold Detection
The CardioCoach uses the Ventilatory Threshold (Wasserman method) to
detect anaerobic threshold.
1
Anaerobic threshold (AT) detection requires a graded exercise protocol.
This means that the level of exertion needs to begin well below the AT and
continue to well beyond AT. The test should continually increase the
exercise intensity, such that every level is more strenuous than the previous
level. Failure to continually increase exertion may result in inaccurate AT
determinations. The anaerobic threshold detection system requires that
tests last at least six minutes and less than 24 minutes. The amount of
exhaled air (relative to the entered body weight) must reach a minimum
threshold for a valid determination. Additionally, if it is obvious from the
heart rate and VO₂ measurements that the level of exertion decreased
during the test, it will not be possible to accurately determine the AT.
In summary, the requirements for a valid AT determination are:
• Continuously increasing level of exertion throughout the test.
• A beginning level of exertion well below AT and a final level of
exertion well above AT.
• Test duration of more than six minutes and less than 24 minutes.
• Ventilation (volume of exhaled air) of at least 900 ml/Kg/minute at
the time of AT detection.
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