The Physiological Mechanisms of Ventilatory Threshold (VT) and VO2MAX Assignment

Assignment Task

For this assessment you are required to write a three page  essay on the physiological measures 1) ventilatory threshold (V _T ) & 2) maximal aerobic oxygen consumption (VO _2MAX ). This essay will be structured around the content and activities you covered in the practical laboratories in weeks 7 & 9. In your essay, you must demonstrate; a deep understanding of the physiological mechanisms that underlie ventilatory threshold & VO _2MAX , an ability to use data collected during breath-by-breath treadmill maximal exertion graded exercise tests to determine a subjects V _T & VO _2MAX, and an understanding of how this information can be useful to coaches and athletes. To complete this assessment, you must work with the Excel data set provided to you on Canvas (see file ‘Lab Essay data set’ under Assessments). This simulated dataset comes from a breath-by-breath treadmill maximal exertion graded exercise test. In order to make comparisons to norms (which is part of how you will demonstrate your understanding of how V _T & VO _2MAX can be useful to coaches and athletes), pretend the test was done on yourself and use your own demographics for comparisons to norms and the literature (i.e., use your own height, weight, age, training status etc. as the subject information).

1. Write an introduction including the aim of the tests (clear definitions for V _T and VO _2max are expected). This section should also include an explanation of the physiological mechanisms that underlie V _T & VO _2MAX .

2. Use the data provided in the Excel sheet to determine the Ventilatory Threshold & VO _2MAX. Identify the V _T using the ventilatory equivalent methods (VE/VCO2 & VE/VO2) and/or by graphing other variables e.g., VE, VCO2, VO2, RER. Identify the VO _2max. You can include graphs and tables in your results.

3. Discuss and interpret your findings

• Explain, analyse and compare your data. Make sure you relate your findings to the metabolic rational behind the V _T including the underlying physiological mechanisms that are thought to account for the V _T .
• Explain the relationship between the V _T and lactate thresholds and why they may appear at similar workloads during an incremental test.
• Discuss how your findings compare to other populations and how your findings can be used by athletes, coaches and sports scientists.

4. Consider limitations and underlying assumptions of the methods used for testing.

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