APA 2314 - Exercise Physiology Review

Spirometry

The most common of the pulmonary function tests. It measures lung function, specifically the amount and/or speed of air that can be inhaled and exhaled. Spirometry is helpful in assessing breathing patterns that identify conditions such as asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, and COPD.

Tidal Volume

The volume of air inhaled or exhaled in one normal breath

Volume

A non-overlapping measurement

Capacity

Consists of more than one volume added together.

Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)

The maximal amount of air that can be inhaled following a normal inhalation.

Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)

The maximal volume of air that can be exhaled following a normal exhalation.

Inspiratory Capacity (IC)

The maximal amount of air a subject can inhale following a normal exhalation

Vital Capacity (VC)

The maximum amount of air that a subject can exhale after a maximal inhalation

Residual Volume (RV)

The volume of air that remains in the lungs after a maximal exhalation

Functional Residual Capacity (FRC)

The volume of air that remains in the lungs after a normal exhalation.

Total Lung Capacity (TLC)

The total volume of the lungs, RV + VC

Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)

The total volume expired after a maximal inhalation when the subject is exhaling as rapidly and forcefully as possible. FVC should be the same as VC.

Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV1.0)

The amount of air exhaled during the first second of an FVC maneuver

Forced Expiratory Flow from 25-75% OR maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF)

The flow rate during the middle 50% of the FVC maneuver.

FEV 1.0/FVC ratio

Determines the percentage of FVC exhaled in one second, used as a diagnostic test.

Body Temperature and Pressure Saturated (BTPS)

Standard measurements for pulmonary volumes and flow rates are in these units. These are 37 ºC and 100% saturated with water vapour

Ambient Temperature and Pressure Saturated (ATPS)

When measurements are taken in the laboratory, they need to be converted to these units.

Blood Pressure

The pressure exerted by the blood against the walls of the blood vessels. Since the heart is a “pulsatile” pump contracting during systole and relaxing during diastole, this measure is constantly changing in the arteries.

Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP)

Relatively higher blood pressure that occurs during the systolic phase of the cardiac cycle. Represented by the numerator of a blood pressure measurement. This blood pressure occurs because the left ventricle is contracting, and therefore increases with exercise intensity.

Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP)

Relatively lower blood pressure that occurs during the diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle. Represented by the denominator of a blood pressure measurement. This blood pressure occurs because the left ventricle is relaxing after contraction.

Pulse Pressure (PP)

Derived from SBP and DBP. The difference between SBP and DBP. Reflects the vascular compliance (distensibility) in large arteries. High values may indicate an increased risk of a heart attack. This value increases with exercise intensity.

Mean Blood Pressure (MBP) or Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)

The actual pressure that arteries would sustain if blood flow was not pulsating. It is calculated as PP/3 + DBP.

Hypertension

Defined as abnormally high blood pressure. It is a risk factor for several cardiovascular diseases and the risk increases proportionately with increased blood pressure values.

Hypotension

Defined as abnormally low blood pressure. It is usually an indicator of injury to the body, such as those caused by shock, myocardial infraction, or drugs.

Indirect Sphygmomanometry

Indirect measurement of blood pressure which employs a inflatable pressure cuff, a mercury column or aneroid pressure gauge and a common stethoscope.

Direct Sphygmomanometry

Direct measurement of blood pressure that involves the placement of a needle in the artery and external pressure transducer or manometer.

Fat-Free Mass (FFM)

All of the body tissues with the exception of stored fats. it includes muscle, bone, water and connective tissues as well as structural fats such as membrane systems. Remains relatively constant or decreases slightly with age.

Fat-Free Weight (FFW)

Quantitative expression of Fat-Free Mass in kg

Lean Body mass

Another expression for fat-free mass

Stored and Subcutaneous Fat Mass (FM)

All fats with the exception of structural fats

Body Weight

Fat Mass + Fat-Free Mass

Body Density

Body weight divided by body volume

Archimede’s principle for Underwater weighing

A body immersed in water is acted upon by a buoyancy force which is evidenced by a loss of weight equal to the weight of fluid displaced

2C Model for Underwater weighing

Concept of dividing the body into 2 compartments, fat mass and lean tissue. The density of body fat (0.9) is less than water (1.0), whereas the density of muscle and bone (1.1-3.0) is higher than water.

Strain gauge

A device which converts a physical quantity such kg, into a voltage output signal (usually in millivolts).

Impedance

A measurement which reflects how hard a mild electrical signal has to work to travel through the body. It is measured when a small, safe electrical signal is passed through the body carried by water and fluids. It is greatest in fat tissue (10-20% water) while FFM (70-75% water) allows this signal to pass through much more easily.

Skinfold assesment

Measurement based on the assumption that measurements of subcutaneous fat at various body sites can be used to estimate total body fat. Specific equations are used to estimate body density and body fat percentage.

Efficiency

The percentage of energy expended by the body that is converted to mechanical work

Electrocardiograph

An important diagnostic tool that externally records the spread of electrical activity through the heart. Its components represent distinct events of the cardiac cycle.

P wave

Indicates atrial depolarization, or contraction of the atrium. Normal duration is no longer than 0.11 seconds. Amplitude is no more than 3mm.

QRS complex

Indicates ventricular depolarization or contraction of the ventricles. Normally no longer than 0.10 seconds in duration. Amplitude is no less than 5 mm in lead 2 or 9 mm in V3 and V4.

T wave

Indicates ventricular repolarization. No more than 5 mm in amplitude in standards leads (1,2 and 3) and 10 mm in precordial leads (V1-V6). Rounded and asymmetrical.

ST segment

Indicates early ventricular repolarization. Normally not depressed more than 0.5mm. May be slightly elevated in some leads (no more than 1mm)

PR interval

Indicates AV conduction time. Duration time is 0.12 -0.20 seconds or between 3 to 5 mm.

QT interval

Indicates the time between the onset of ventricular depolarization and the end of the repolarization of the ventricles. No more than half the RR interval.

ECG lead

A pair of ECG electrodes

Bipolar leads

These leads utilize a single positive and a single negative electrode between which electrical potentials are measured. These are standard limb leads (1,2 and 3).

Unipolar leads

These leads utilize a single positive recording electrode and use a combinations of other electrodes to serve as a composite negative electrode. These are augmented leads and chest leads.

Exercise Tolerance Testing

Important diagnostic tool for assessing patients with suspected or known ischemic heart disease (lack of oxygen due to clogging of coronary arteries). During exercise, coronary blood flow must increase to meet the higher metabolic demands of the myocardium. Limiting the coronary blood flow results in ECG changes, especially the ST segment or repolarization component.

Cardiorespiratory Endurance

The ability to perform dynamic muscular work at moderate to high levels of intensity for prolonged periods of time. Other terms for this include aerobic capacity, cardiorespiratory fitness, endurance capacity and functional aerobic capacity.

Maximal Oxygen uptake (VO2 max)

Index of maximal functional capacity of the cardiorespiratory and skeletal muscle systems. Can be defined as the largest amount of oxygen that an individual can utilize during strenuous exercise to complete exhaustion. Can be expressed as L/min (absolute units) or ml/kg/ min (relative to body weight)

Test with direct measurement

Test where VO2 is directly measured via a metabolic cart/ indirect calorimetry.

Test with indirect measurement

Test where results are estimated. The results are obtained based on the relationship between directly measured VO2 and test performance.

Maximal test

test achieving volitional fatigue from the participant, they need to be pushed to the limit.

Submaximal Test

test completed at an intensity between 40% and 80% of predicted heart rate max of the subject. It is used to determine heart rate response to one or more submax exercise rate and uses the results to predict VO2 max.

Flexibility

The range of movement in a joint or series of joints. Individuals vary in the degree of this measurement they posses. Inherent factors are the bony structure of the joint itself, the bulk of the muscle close to the joint, the normal tension or “habit length” of the surrounding muscles, the pliability of connective tissue, and the structure of the ligaments and tendons.

Muscular Endurance

The ability to maintain or repeatedly develop force.

Muscular Power

This measurement involves a combination of strength and speed. Defined as the maximum tension of force a muscle can exert in a single contraction.

Submax Astrand Cycle Test

One of the most popular submaximal exercise test in exercise physiology. A prediction of maximal oxygen comsumption (L/min) based upon the performers heart rate response at given power (W) or submaximal oxygen comsumption

Submax Stanford Treadmill Test

Submaximal test that involves walking at a constant pace, 4.8 km/h or 3mph with increasing grades and stage duration of 2 mins.

The Modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test (mCAFT)

A simple, progressive, submaximal aerobic test based on the repeated ascent and descent of a double 20.5 cm step. The initial stepping rhythm is paced by age and sex, and the test is halted when the ten second recovery pulse exceeds the indicated limit.