CYCLE ERGOMETER TESTING
ASTRAND-RYHMING (A-R) CYCLE ERGOMETER TEST
•
THIS TEST ESTIMATES V O2MAX USING A SINGLE-STAGE, SIX-MINUTE
familiarize him- or herself with the cadence. There should be no
submaximal cycling protocol. It is a single-stage test and relatively simple
tension on the cycle during the warm-up.
to perform. Because it is easier to administer than the YMCA bike test, this
• Inform the client that the test will be six minutes in length, during
test may be a more appropriate choice for trainers who are new to cyclewhich time he or she will attempt to maintain an HRss between 120
ergometer testing. Consider, however, that inexperienced riders might find
and 170 bpm to ensure test validity (ACSM, 2014). The test can be
riding at a moderate-to-hard intensity for six minutes fatiguing.
stopped if the client exceeds 85% of age-predicted MHR or cannot
Equipment:
maintain the cadence. The client can stop
• Cycle ergometer
the test at any time and for any reason, but
Contraindications
• HR monitor with chest strap
especially if he or she experiences chest pain,
Cycle ergometer testing should be
• Metronome (optional)
shortness of breath, dizziness, or nausea.
avoided when working with:
• Stopwatch
Test protocol and administration:
• Obese individuals who are not
• Sphygmomanometer
• Recommend a two- to three-minute warm-up
comfortable on the standard seats
• RPE chart
to achieve an HRss slightly above 120 bpm to
or are physically unable to pedal at
Pre-test procedure:
determine an appropriate test intensity.
the appropriate cadence
• Estimate 85% of MHR [based on 208 –
• The workload should be determined by the
• Individuals with orthopedic problems
(0.7 x Age)] and record the value on the
client’s
gender and physical condition. The
that limit knee range of motion
testing form. If an HR strap and monitor are
following workloads are used throughout the
(ROM) to less than 110 degrees
unavailable, calculate a 10-second count
entire six minutes.
• Individuals with neuromuscular
for this value. For safety reasons, it is up to
3 Male, unconditioned: 300 to
problems who cannot maintain a
the tester to ensure that the client does not
600 kilogram-meters per minute (kgm/
cadence of 50 rotations per minute
exceed this HR limit.
min) (50 to 100 watts)
(rpm)
• Measure and record the client’s weight and
3 Male, conditioned: 600 to
convert that value to kg by dividing the
900 kgm/min (100 to 150 watts)
weight by 2.2.
3Female, unconditioned: 300 to 450 kgm/min (50 to 75 watts)
• Measure and record a seated, resting BP.
3Female, conditioned: 450 to 600 kgm/min (75 to 100 watts)
• Discuss RPE and remind the client that he or she will be asked for
• After the first and second minutes, measure HR and adjust
perceived exertion levels throughout the test.
intensity accordingly:
• Adjust the seat height and record the seat position for future tests to
3Increase the exercise intensity/cycle resistance if the HR is
ensure consistency between tests:
below 120 bpm.
3Position the pedal at the bottom of a revolution so that the crank
3Decrease exercise intensity/cycle resistance if the HR is near
arm is orientated vertically. Have the client place the heel of the foot
170 bpm.
on the pedal. The knee should be almost straight (5 to 10 degrees
• Instruct the client to maintain a steady pace throughout the test.
of flexion) in this position, with the ankle held in neutral (i.e., the
Record RPE and HR at each minute to ensure the client is staying
toes should not be pointed in either direction). Test results may be
within the recommended target heart-rate range (THRR). Blood
inaccurately low if the seat is set too low.
pressure should be assessed and recorded at the four-minute mark.
3The seat and pedal position should be comfortable for the client.
Record the client’s HR at minute 5 and minute 6. These values will be
•
• If a cadence meter is available on the bike, instruct the client to ride
averaged and used for determining V O2max.
at 50 rpm. If it is unavailable, use a metronome set to 100 bpm to
• Once the test is completed, the client should cool down at a reduced
coincide with each pedal stroke.
workload for three to five minutes, until HR and breathing rate return
• Allow for a two- to three-minute warm-up period at a low intensity
to normal. The trainer should continue to observe the client, as
(2- or 3-out-of-10 effort) to allow the client to practice and
negative symptoms can arise immediately post-exercise.
©2014 AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EXERCISE@
CYCLE ERGOMETER TESTING continued
• 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
•
Sample V O2max Calculation
•
Determine V O2max for a 45-year-old female, weighing
115 pounds (52.3 kg), who completed the AstrandRyhming 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 VO2max is 2.6.
After multiplying by the age-correction factor, her
•
adjusted VO2max 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 VO2max 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.
•
VO2 L
Work Load
(kg/min)
Women Men
– 0.8
–
–
–
– 0.9 –300 –
–
– 300
–
– 1.0 –
–
Pulse Rate
–
–
–
Men Women
40–
– 1.1
–
–
•
–
VO2max L
–
170—
– 1.2 –450 –
– 450
–
–
–
–1.6 50– 40– – 1.3 –
166—
–
–
–
–
–
–
1.8
162—172
–
– –– 1.4 –
–
–
– 2.0
–
600 –
158—168
–
1.5
60–
– 600
–
–
2.2 –
50– –
–
154—164
– 1.6 –
–
–
–
–
– 2.4
–
150—160
–
–
–
1.7
–
–
2.6
–
–
70–
–
750 –
146—156
– 1.8 –
–2.8
– 750
–
60– –
3.0 –
–
–
– 1.9 –
142—152
–3.2
–
–
–
–
3.4 –
138—148
80–
– – 2.0 –
–
–
–
– 3.6
–900 –
134—144
–
2.1
–
3.8
– 900
– 70– –
–4.0
–
–
4.2 –
130—140
–
2.2
–4.4
90–
–
–
–
4.6
–
126—136
4.8
– – 2.3
–
–
5.0 –
–
–
5.2
–
–
122—132
–
2.4
5.4 – –5.6
80– –
–1,050
–
–
– 2.5
—128 5.8 –6.0
–
–
– –– 2.6
–
—124
–
–
–
—120
90– –– 2.7
–
– 2.8
–1,200
––
–
– 2.9
–
–
100– – 3.0
–
–
Modified Astrand-Ryhming nomogram
– 3.1
–
–
–
– 3.2
American College of Sports Medicine (2014). ACSM’s
–
–
Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription (9th ed.).
– 3.3
–
Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Used with
–
–
–
3.4
permission from Astrand, P.O. & Ryhming, I. (1954). A
–
nomogram for calculation of aerobic capacity [physical
–
– 3.5
fitness] from pulse rate during submaximal work. Journal
– 1,500
Step Test
33 cm 40 cm
Women Men
(weight, kg)
of Applied Physiology, 7, 218–221.
©2014 AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EXERCISE@