The objective of the YMCA submax bicycle test is to obtain two separate workloads resulting in steady state heart rate values between 110 bpm and the subject’s 85% PMHR. Steady state is determined by the last two heart rates being within 6 bpm apart. This establishes linearity between heart rate and workload for the person being tested. To establish the line of best fit on the graph, at least two points are needed.
Once the test is completed, the heart rates should be plotted against the respective workload in the graph provided. A straight line should be drawn through the points and extended to the subject’s predicted max heart rate (220-age). The point where the diagonal line intersects the horizontal predicted max heart rate line will represent the maximal working capacity.
A perpendicular line will then be drawn from this point to the base where the maximal physical workload capacity can be read in kgm/min. This can then be used to predict a person’s maximal oxygen uptake.
Class Assignment: Perform at least one YMCA test and graph your data and provide an estimated VO2max by VO2 (mL . kg-1 . min-1) = [(1.8 × work rate) / Body wt in kg] + 7.