Darren Weldon CSL 2

An Investigation of the 20 MST as a measure of Maximal Oxygen Uptake among a Group of College-Age Students

Introduction This study will investigate the feasibility of using the 20m multi-stage fitness test as an accurate measure of a subjects maximal oxygen uptake. On the assumption that the subject gives his/her full effort while executing the test to the point of exhaustion, a figure representing the subjects VO max can be taken. This information can be used to can be used as an indicator of the subjects cardiovascular fitness. The multi-stage fitness test was developed by Leger and Lambert in 1982 as a vehicle to predict VOmax values. Maximal oxygen uptake is key to sustaining a high level of cardiovascular fitness. By having a high oxygen uptake, the body can fuel the muscles faster, which in turn makes the body stronger and more resilient to lactic acid. Oxygenated muscles also promoted faster repair, which helps to build lean muscle mass and reduce delayed onset muscle fatigue. To get these figures, 33 Community Sports Leadership students (23 male and 10 female) from Dundalk Institute of Technology partook in a 20m multi-stage fitness test. Every students level and shuttle was recorded, while the heart rate of two male and two female students was also noted. The results attained from the MST were collated to identify the number of levels and shuttles that each subject got. This value corresponded to a table of predicted maximum oxygen uptake. This table was drawn up by Loughborough University in 1987. The heart rate monitor results attained from the four subjects (two male and two female) were put into a graph to illustrate the increases in the subjects heart rates minute by minute while participating in the MST. In combination, these results would determine whether the MST was an accurate measurement of maximal oxygen uptake. Given that the table of predicted maximum oxygen uptake values are in fact predictions, it doesnt take into account height, weight, lung capacity, current cardiovascular fitness, body fat or lean muscle mass, which are all factors in calculating the results of the MST. However, the measurement attained is an estimate of worth to the instructor as it gives a clear value of how the subject done, and a target to beat in the event of the MST being administered again. It also denotes a value which gives the instructor a guideline to develop the subjects cardiovascular fitness in a manner relevant to his/her physical condition.

Methods 33 subjects took part in a 20m multi-stage fitness test that was held in the MPC in DKIT. Two lines 20m apart were marked out by marker cones with sufficient space at either end. The group was split up into pairs and two separate groups so that there was adequate space for all subjects to move as freely as possible. To attain a heart rate figure, two subjects from each group (one male and one female) wore a heart rate monitor and their heart rates were recorded every minute. The tutor played the bleep test CD on a stereo and stood at one end of the shuttle to make sure all subjects stepped on the line. The other line was observed by a student who also noted the heart rates of the two subjects who were wearing heart rate monitors. When a subject dropped out of the test due to exhaustion, his/her partner noted the level and shuttle number. When everyone was finished, all the results were compiled for circulation between the students.

Results Levels and Shuttles The average number of levels and shuttles ran by all subject was Level 9, Shuttle 4. (Total number of levels ran by subjects divided by number of subjects = 298 33 = 9.0303) (Total number of shuttles ran by subjects divided by number of subjects = 123 33 = 3.727) The highest level attained by a subject was Level 14, Shuttle 0 (Two subjects attained this) The lowest level attained by a subject was Level 4, Shuttle 5 The average number of levels and shuttles ran by all male subjects was Level 10, Shuttle 4. (Total number of levels ran by subjects divided by number of subjects = 232 23 = 10.086) (Total number of shuttles ran by subjects divided by number of subjects = 87 23 = 3.782) The highest level attained by a male subject was Level 14, Shuttle 0 The lowest level attained by a male subject was Level 4, Shuttle 5 The average number of level and shuttles ran by all female subjects was Level 7, Shuttle 4. (Total number of levels ran by subjects divided by number of subjects = 66 10 = 6.6) (Total number of shuttles ran by subjects divided by number of subjects = 36 10 = 3.6) The highest level attained by a female subject was Level 9, Shuttle 1 The lowest level attained by a female subject was Level 5, Shuttle 5 VO max The results attained for VO max was done in accordance with the Table of Predicted Maximum Oxygen Uptake Values for MST, in Loughborough University, 1987. The average VO max for all subjects was 44.6 (total VO max of all students = 1474.4 divided by number of subjects = 33) The average female VO max was 36.37 (total VO max for all female subjects = 363.7 divided by number of female subjects = 10) The average male VOmax was 48.29 (total VOmax for all male subjects = 1110.7 divided by number of male subjects = 23)

Heart Rates For the purpose of confidentiality, the male subjects will be referred to as Subject A and Subject B, while the female subjects will be referred to as Subject C and Subject D. The average heart rate amongst the 4 subjects with heart rate monitors on was 181.30 (average of Subject A=190.84 + Subject B = 174.86 + Subject C = 184.37 + Subject D = 175.16 divided by number of subjects = 4) The average heart rate for male subjects was 182.85 (average of Subject A = 190.84 + Subject B = 174.86 divided by number of male subjects = 2) The average heart rate for female subjects was 179.76 (average of Subject C = 184.37 + Subject D = 175.16 divided by number of female subjects = 2)

Discussion Although the multi-stage fitness test is a good barometer of cardiovascular fitness, it still doesnt tell the whole story as to why a subject got a particular score. If the test is administered from complete rest, the muscles havent been warmed up properly and subsequently cannot work at their full capacity. The MST cannot speculate the subjects muscle strength or lung capacity, but it can decipher how much oxygen can be carried to the muscles through VO max values. The fact that none of the individuals attributes such as height, weight, lean muscle mass or lung capacity are considered leaves the final results very questionable in the eyes of scientific fact and research.

The figures for male subjects tended to be higher than the figures for female subjects. There are a number of reasons why this was the case. The male skeleton has bigger bones and therefore, bigger muscles which in turn leads to higher maximal oxygen output. Cardiovascular potential is typically 15-30% lower in females than males. Men are also capable of greater muscle hypertrophy as a result of strength training, as they tend to have a greater proportion of fast-twitch fibres.

(The Fitness Instructors Handbook, Morc Coulson, p.158) Although the MST gives a specific number as maximal oxygen uptake, the factors of lifestyle, weight and body type are overlooked. It can therefore only be assumed that the cardiovascular potential is in accordance to the result attained by participating in a MST.

There is plenty of scope to improve a subjects VO max based on the result of an MST, such as improvements in the subjects nutritional habits, increasing cardiovascular training frequency and volume and using isolated muscular endurance exercises to promote building lean muscle mass. Conclusions The evidence contained in this report suggests that males have a greater maximal oxygen output in comparison to females, due to their superior physical makeup and greater number of fast twitch muscle fibres. There is also sufficient evidence to suggest that multi-stage fitness tests are a great tool to fitness and leisure professionals that can used to measure maximal oxygen uptake amongst subjects. Using the results obtained from the MST can provide a clear, defined platform on which to develop and maintain a subjects cardiovascular fitness. The accuracy of these results are questionable by scientific and biological theory, but are useful to the fitness world at large as a quick and easy to understand method of getting a measurement of maximal oxygen uptake.