FREECLIMBER 4400/4600 PT/CL CONSOLE
state heart rate of the subject to 110 to 150 beats/min for two consecutive stages. It is important to remember that two consecutive heart rate measure-
ments must be obtained in the 110 to 150 beats/min range to predict VO2max. The test typically lasts from 9 to 15 minutes.
In the StairMaster protocol, each work rate is performed for 3 minutes, with heart rates recorded during the final 4 seconds of the 2nd and 3rd minutes of each stage. If the heart rates are within 5 beats/min, then the heart rate during the last minute is plotted against the work rate, and the pro- gram advances to the next
At the end of the 3rd minute of each stage, if the heart rates at the end of the 2nd and 3rd minute are not within 5 beats/min of each other, then that work rate is maintained for an additional minute. At the end of the 4th minute, the heart rate is compared to the heart rate at the end of the 3rd minute. If the heart rates are within 5 beats/min, then the heart rate during the 4th minute is plotted against the work rate. If the heart rate at the end of the 3rd and 4th minute are not within 5 beats/min, then the work rate is maintained for one more additional minute. If the heart rate at the end of the 4th and 5th minutes are within 5 beats/min, then the heart rate at the end of the 5th minute is plot- ted against the work rate. If the heart rate at the end of the 4th and 5th minutes are not within 5 beats/min, then the test failed.
Once 2 consecutive heart rate measurements are obtained in the 110 to 150 beats/min range, then the test ends successfully and the results are displayed. The estimated maximum aerobic capacity is shown in ml/kg/min and METs. Next, the results are compared to normative values for others of the same age range and gender (see Table 2). Results are stored in the con- sole until the next person starts an exercise program.
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