Research Methods

Bruce test

treadmill protocol in which the grade and/or speed increases in intensity every 3 minute; provides information about one's cardiorespiratory fitness, or aerobic capacity

direct calorimetry

technique used to determine the body's metabolic rate by measuring the amount of heat produced

dose

the amount of drug or exercise prescribed to have a certain effect (or response)

double-blind

research design in which neither the subjects nor the investigators are aware of the experimental treatment order

dynamometer

device used to measure force production; used in the measurement of muscular strength

ergometer

device used to measure work

indirect calorimetry

technique used to determine the body's metabolic rate by measuring the amount of oxygen used

placebo

an inert substance that is used in experimental studies, e.g., drug studies, to control for any subjective reaction to the substance being tested

Wingate test

30-second power test performed on a cycle ergometer; provides information about one's anaerobic energy systems

work

product of a force and the distance through which the force moves

power

the rate at which work is done

Rockport test

1-mile walk test performed on a track; provides information about one's cardiorespiratory fitness, or aerobic capacity

goniometer

tool used to measure joint range of motion

skinfold calipers

tool used to measure subcutaneous fat thickness

bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)

body composition assessment method that uses a weak electrical current to estimate one's percent body fat

waist-to-hip ratio

compares your waist measurement to your hip measurement to determine a person's fat distribution

electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG)

display of the electrical activity of the heart; provides information about the structure & function of the heart

air displacement plethysmography (ADP)

body composition assessment method that uses weight and air displacement to estimate one's percent body fat

hydrostatic weighing (underwater weighing)

body composition assessment method that uses weight on land and in water to estimate one's percent body fat

dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA or DXA))

a body composition assessment method that quantifies fat, lean, and bone tissues by passing x-rays with two different energy levels through the body

astrand-rhyming test

a six-minute constant-load exercise test performed on a cycle ergometer; provides information about one's cardiorespiratory fitness, or aerobic capacity

body mass index (BMI)

a measure of body fat based on height and weight; calculated by dividing one's weight in kilograms by the square of one's height in meters; used as a means of weight classification

margaria-kalamen test

a test that assesses lower body power; involves a timed run up a flight of stairs

vertical jump

a test that assesses lower body power; involves the comparison of one's standing reach height to their jumping reach height

graded exercise test

a generic term that refers to a type of exercise test in which the intensity of the exercise increases over time

constant-load test

a generic term that refers to a type of exercise test in which the intensity of the exercise does not change during the test

spirometry

a technique used to assess lung volumes & capacities, as well as the speed of airflow through the airways during inspiration and expiration