Blood Lactate Response to the CF Express Step Test
Abstract
The Canadian Forces (CF) personnel have their fitness measured by the EXPRESS test. This test includes measures of strength, muscular endurance, aerobic power and body composition. Of the performance measures i.e., strength, muscular endurance and aerobic power, the first two are measured directly while the last is predicted or estimated from heart rate (HR) response to stepping activity. As a result of the prediction or estimate, error is introduced into the measure of aerobic power. The inaccuracies of the prediction could have adverse career action associated with it. The purpose of this study was to see if blood lactate could be used to more accurately predict maximal aerobic power. Two-hundred and thirty five (235) CF male and female personnel performed the step-test procedures used to predicted maximal aerobic power. In addition to having their heart rates determined during the test, blood was sampled from a finger tip and analyzed for lactate (LA). A sub-sample of this population (n=156) also had their aerobic power measured directly during a maximal run performed on a treadmill. The HR and LA values measured during stage 5 of the stepping activity were compared in their ability to predict or estimate the aerobic power measured from the running performance. For the male subjects, LA predicted aerobic power better than HR; whereas, for the females, the prediction of aerobic power from LA and HR was similar.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 18, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA239494
Entities
People
- D. G. Bell
- I. Jacobs
Organizations
- DRDC Toronto