The Chemistry Behind Athletic

Performance TestingMarlow Schulz and Nathan Boone

Whitefish High School

Advanced Chemistry

Mr. Spangler

Introduction

Being athletes, we are always wanting to find new ways to make ourselves better at the sports we do. We found many ways to measure our fitness, and determine what we need to do to improve our performance to be better athletes.

Research Question: How does VO2 max level predict athletic success? How can VO2max be improved? How do our VO2 maxes compare to those of other athletes our age?

Hypothesis: If VO2 max is an accurate prediction of athletic performance and fitness level, then when we increase the intensity and frequency of our workouts, VO2 max will also increase.

Introduction

VO2 Max: Ratio of O2 our body takes in to CO2 our body releases during exercise.

• Maximum oxygen uptake or consumption during physical activity.

• Capacity of an individual's body to transport and use oxygen during exercise.

• Reflects the physical fitness of an individual.o To accurately test VO2 max involves physical effort sufficient in

intensity to fully tax the aerobic energy system.o Usually involves a treadmill test in which intensity is increased

throughout while measuring ventilation and O2 and CO2 concentration of the inhaled and exhaled air.

Factors Affecting VO2 Max:

• Age

• Gender

• Genetics

• Body Composition

• Fitness Level

Background

Background

Other values tested for during VO2 max testing:RER: respiratory exchange rate

• Ratio of expired carbon dioxide over consumed oxygen

• Used to determine the type of fuel the body is burning in different stages of exercise. o RER ~ .75 the body converts fat into energy o RER > 1.0 the body uses carbohydrates as fuel o RER >1.1 indicates VO2 max

VT: ventilation threshold, also known as anaerobic threshold

• Optimal training intensity for athletes.

• Reached when almost all slow twitch fiber muscles are being used but the athlete is not yet using fast twitch fibers.o Training at this threshold will increase fat burned during exercise and

decrease risk of injury.LT: lactate threshold

• Highest intensity at which the body can recycle lactic acid as quickly as it is produced.o If the athlete speeds up even slightly beyond the LT lactic acid

accumulates, causing fatigue and damaging muscles.

Background

Training methods we will use in improving VO2 max:

Circuit or Interval Training: Consists of short exercises that require a high amount of energy, with rest and recovery time in between repetitions.Plyometrics: Having muscles exert maximum amount of force in a short period of time, with the goal of increasing both speed and power.Fartlek: Training method that combines continuous training with interval training.Exercise Specificity: Training should be relevant and appropriate for the sport the athlete is training for.

The Chemistry Connection

Our body systems desire to maintain homeostasis, with exercise, the demand for O2 increases 7-12 times of the resting rates. As our body’s chemistry change, the cardiopulmonary system reacts. At the cellular level, the muscle chemoreceptor communicates with the brain and circulatory system where vasodilatation occurs, directing oxygenated blood to working muscles. The heart increases rate and amount of blood being pumped through the body in response to chemical changes that are happening.

• Do preliminary VO2 max treadmill tests at The Summit and The Wave.

• Create a workout plan to follow for the following 10 weeks.

• Retest using the same procedure to determine any changes in aerobic fitness.

Variables• Independent- Training levels• Dependent- VO2max (also RER, VT, and LT)

Procedure

Preliminary Tests

This is the testing site. We use a basic treadmill that is hooked up to a computer program and a gas chamber that analyzes your oxygen intake and CO2 output.

Testing

We also got hooked up to a heart rate monitor. This will tell us when we have reached our max exertion level, or when our hearts have been pushed to the max. Training your heart to be able to handle intense exercise is also a big part of increasing aerobic fitness.

Testing

Our last piece of equipment was a mask that was hooked up to the gas analysis chamber. It covered your mouth and nose, so all air you breathe during exercise is measure and analyzed.

Testing

Then you run!

Many of the values we talked about earlier in the presentation are calculated through this computer program, such as RER and LT.

ResultsNate Marlo

w

Rest AT VO2 Max Predicted

Time (Min)- :40 :40 3:20 2:20 9:40 9:00 * *

Speed (MPH)-

* * 6 5.5 9 9 * *

VO2 (mL/kg/min)-

9.6 6.3 26.4 27 39.7 37.9 49.3 40.3

VO2 (mL/min)-

678 327 1859 1407 2791 1974 3465 2101

VCO2 (mL/min)-

635 354 1757 1325 3525 2509 4193 2542

RER- 0.94 1.08 0.95 0.94 1.26 1.27 * *

HR (BPM)- 98 102 150 161 191 201 203 203

• RER• VCO2• VO2• VO2 max

This line represents the predicted value for 17 year old males. (Nathan's values are way above, this is good!)

Nathan's EKG(tells heart rate and heart patterns throughout the test)

• RER• VCO2• VO2• VO2 max

Predicted values for 17 year old females.

Marlow's EKG

Procedure

General Workout Plan:Weeks 1-3: Build the base

Focus on aerobic fitness, to increase fitness you must first have a strong base. This basically means you need to be in good shape before you can actually become a more "efficient machine."

Weeks 4-7: Increase anaerobic capacity Once you are in good shape, you can exercise at a higher

intensity. This will increase your anaerobic fitness.

Weeks 8-10: Increase pure speed When you have reached this point in your fitness level, it is most

advantageous to work on your "pure speed." During this time we will also work on more sport specific training.

Procedure

Marlow’s Preliminary Workout Plan:

Weeks 1-3: Build the base

• Monday- 30 minutes running (at about 160 beats/minute)

• Tuesday- 20 minutes running, 5 minutes walking, 20 minutes running

• Wednesday- rest day

• Thursday- 20 minutes running, 5 minutes walking, 20 minutes running

• Friday- 30 minutes running (at about 160 beats/minute)

• Saturday- easy 30 minute run

• Sunday- rest day

Procedure

Weeks 4-7: Increase anaerobic capacity

• Monday- 10 minutes running (180 beats/min), 2 minutes rest, 10 minutes (180 beats/min)

• Tuesday- 5 minutes running (190-200 beats/min), 1 minute rest, repeat 3-4 times

• Wednesday- rest day

• Thursday-5 minutes running (190-200 beats/min), 1 minute rest, repeat 3-4 times

• Friday-10 minutes running (180 beats/min), 2 minutes rest, 10 minutes (180 beats/min)

• Saturday- 30 minute run

• Sunday- rest day

Procedure

Weeks 8-10: Increase pure speed

• Monday- track practice (easy day)

• Tuesday- track practice (hard workout day)

• Wednesday- track practice (game day)

• Thursday- track practice (hard workout day)

• Friday- track practice (pre-meet)

• Saturday- track meet/ track practice

• Sunday- rest day

Procedure

Nathan’s Preliminary Workout Plan-

Week 1-3: Build the base

• Monday- 30 minute run at >160 beats/min

• Tuesday- soccer practice

• Wednesday- rest day

• Thursday- soccer practice

• Friday- 20 minute run, 5 minute walk, 10 minute run.

• Saturday- varies (soccer)

• Sunday- rest

Procedure

Week 4-7: Increase anaerobic capacity

• Monday- 10 minutes running (180 beats/min), 2 minutes rest, 10 minutes (180 beats/min)

• Tuesday- soccer practice

• Wednesday- rest day

• Thursday- soccer practice

• Friday- 5 minutes running (190-200 beats/min), 1 minute rest, repeat 3-4 times

• Saturday- varies

• Sunday- rest day

Procedure

Week 8-10: Increase pure speed

• Monday: soccer practice• Tuesday: soccer practice (Conditioning day)• Wednesday: rest day• Thursday: soccer practice• Friday: rest day• Saturday: 2 soccer games• Sunday: rest day

***Weeks 8-10 canceled due to mono diagnosis***

Conclusion

• We could not set up a time before these presentations to retest.

• Will conclude testing Monday June 3rd at 3:30.• Will email Mr. Spangler a finished version of our project

to be sent to people who helped us at the Wave and the Summit.

• If you are interested in our results let us know!

Conclusion

Improvements

• Control other aspects of our performance on the test, ex. amount of sleep, nutrition, hydration, etc.

• Test during off season of sports in order to maintain consistent and precise training schedule.

• Stay healthy and injury free. Don't perform tests while injured.

Improvements

Thank you!

April Terry- The Summit Dr. Brad Roy- The Summit Corey Harris- The Wave Geoff Gibb- The Wave Mr. Spangler

References

"VO2 Max Testing, Aerobic Threshold Testing, Lactate Threshold Testing." VO2 Max Testing, Aerobic Threshold Testing, Lactate Threshold Testing. VO2 Max Test, n.d. Web. 02 May 2013.

Raines, Janny. "Article Doctor - Health and Fitness Articles." Health and Fitness Articles. Article Doctor, 04 Jan. 09. Web. 02 May 2013.

"What Is Stress Testing?" - NHLBI, NIH. Department of Health and Science, 14 Dec. 2011. Web. 02 May 2013.

Keller, B. A. "Get In Shape!" Fitness, Exercise and Nutrition Resources to Help You Get In Shape. Shape Sense, n.d. Web. 02 May 2013.

Hoyle, M. "Sport Fitness Testing and Aerobic Capacity." LIVESTRONG.COM. LIVESTRONG, 23 Jan. 2011. Web. 02 May 2013.

Flechet, Bruno. "Interval Training at VO2 Max Effects on Aerobic Performance." Medicine and Science in Sports Exercise (n.d.): 156-63. Web. May 2000.

"New Leaf: Metabolism, Fitness & Athletic Training." New Leaf: Metabolism, Fitness & Athletic Training. New Leaf Corporation, n.d. Web. 02 May 2013.

References