Services Offered
Clients must be "apparently healthy" and meet the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Risk Stratification criteria of
Low Risk for a max test or of
Moderate Risk for submax test. A physician's medical clearance may be provided for authorization in some instances. All clients must complete and submit the following forms prior to their testing day: a health history, medical clearance (if Moderate Risk), and Informed Consent (provided at time of test). No one with a risk stratification of High Risk will be allowed to be assessed in the Human Performance Lab. We regret not being able to provide the cardiorespiratory testing to this population though they may indicate higher performance capacities than some of lower risk. In all cases we encourage checking with your physician prior to testing and exercise training.
Note: At the start of your appointment we will complete remaining paperwork, conduct anthropometric measurements and briefly review test procedures.
Our lab provides high quality performance testing and a detailed summary report of results, thus allowing the client or client's coach/trainer to use the data to determine appropriate training zones. We do not provide coaching services or develop training plans. Testing can provide valuable data on your current fitness level, as well as how effective you are responding to your training plan. By conducting regular tests (depending on your sport and season) you can accurately monitor the results of training adaptations and make adjustments accordingly to maximize your health and performance.
Our cardiorespiratory tests are conducted on a treadmill, rowing ergometer, arm ergometer, bike ergometer or cycling on a Computrainer (HPL bike* or client's bike). The client is fitted with a heart rate monitor, comfortable breathing mask, and light headgear. The breathing mask is attached to a metabolic analyzer (Parvo Medics True 2400) that will read ventilatory values and oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration of the inhaled and exhaled air.
*Trek road bike 56 cm (large or 52 cm (small).
Note: Repeat a test within 12 months and receive a 25% discount!
VO2 Max - 90 minutes
Cost: Community: $125; UAA Faculty/Staff: $100; UAA Students: $75 (Additional cost options: $30 for Lactate Testing, $25 if both Met Cart and EKG used).
A VO2 (volume of oxygen) Max Test is considered the best measurement of cardiorespiratory fitness. It determines your maximum aerobic capacity, the body's ability to transport and utilize oxygen during exercise. A very high level of physical exertion is required to conduct this test.
The protocol for the VO2 max test starts with a warm-up stage then every three minutes the stage will increase in intensity (speed, incline and/or resistance). Data is gathered during each progressive stage. Upon reaching the maximum heart rate and/or peak values the exercise stages are stopped and the client cools-down for a period of time while additional data is gathered. Bruce Protocol Chart
Data collected: VO2, VCO2, HR, grade, speed or watts, RER (respiratory exchange ratio), RPE (rate of perceived exertion), metabolic parameters (calories, carbs, fat)
VO2 Submax Test – 60 minutes
Cost: Community: $50; UAA Faculty/Staff: $35; UAA Student: $25 (Additional cost options: $30 for Lactate Testing, $25 if both Met Cart and EKG used).
The VO2 Submax Test follows a similar protocol as the VO2 Max but the test is terminated at approximately 85% of the client’s predicted maximum capacity (determined by heart rate). This is a less invasive test (without use of the metabolic analyzer) and provides data to determine appropriate training zones. The VO2 submax exercise test can be used to estimate maximal VO2.
Data collected: HR, grade, speed or watts, RPE (rate of perceived exertion)
Metabolic Efficiency Point Test – 120 minutes
Cost: Community: $125; UAA Faculty/Staff: $100; UAA Student: $75 (Additional cost options: $30 for Lactate Testing, $25 if both Met Cart and EKG used).
Ideal test to determine how much carbohydrate and fat is burned during aerobic exercise, as well as what proportion of these fuels your muscles prefer per stage (workload). The Metabolic Efficiency Point Test is divided into 2 protocols depending on performance goals and training period. Either protocol is considered a submax test. The base or off season protocol is geared towards detecting your fuel utilization (carbohydrate and fat burning ratios) at various intensities/workloads determined by HR, watts or speed and RPE. This data is vital to adjusting macronutrient composition of your daily diet as well as fuel intake surrounding training. The competition season protocol is geared toward detecting your fuel utilization at your self-selected race pace, knowing carbohydrate and fat utilization and how much of each fuel will provide valuable data for race day nutrition needs. The metabolic analyzer and accessory equipment is used with these tests.
Data Collected: VO2, VCO2, HR, grade, speed or watts, RER (respiratory exchange ratio), RPE (rate of perceived exertion), metabolic parameters (calories, carbs, fat)
Metabolic Test: Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) – 45 minutes
Cost: Community: $60; UAA Faculty/Staff: $45; UAA Students: $30
The Metabolic Test provides an insight into TDEE (total daily energy expenditure). The resting metabolic rate (RMR) is a measurement of the energy you burn each day for basic living functions. This test is highly accurate and uses the same technology utilized in hospitals to determine the amount of fat and carbohydrate you are burning (% fat, % carb, and grams).
Testing is done in a fasted state while in a relaxed supine position for 30 minutes. This test includes the metabolic analyzer to measure oxygen and carbon dioxide gas exchange, which requires wearing a breathing mask and light headgear.
Data collected: RMR, resting lactate, resting glucose, resting HR, RER (respiratory exchange ratio), metabolic parameters (calories, carbs (%, grams), fat (%, grams)
Lactate Threshold (LT) Test (no metabolic analyzer) - 60-90 minutes
Cost: Community $75, UAA Faculty/Staff: $65; UAA Student: $55
Cost: $25, if added to VO2 max or MEP test
Lactate levels are highly correlated with performance and often used to determine training zones. The lactate threshold is the maximal intensity that one can maintain for a period of time without tipping that balance between production and clearance of lactate in the blood. Once tipped, muscle fatigue will ensue.
The test is conducted on a treadmill, rowing ergometer or bike (HPL or client). Protocol includes 3 minute stages of progressive workloads with blood lactate collection (finger pinprick) at rest, end of each successive stage and during recovery. We recommend the test be completed during a recovery period to minimize effects from overall training fatigue.
Data collected: Blood lactate (mmol/L), HR, speed or watts, RPE (rate of perceived exertion)
Wingate Anaerobic Test - 30 minutes
Cost: Community: $50; UAA Faculty/Staff: $35; UAA Student: $25
This anaerobic test can determine a participant's peak anaerobic power, mean anaerobic power, total work, and fatigue index. A high intensity "supramaximal" test, the Wingate Test protocol includes a maximal effort by the participant for 30 seconds on a bicycle ergometer.
Data is collected to determine anaerobic fitness.
Hydration Test (Urine Specific Gravity) - 5 minutes
Cost: Community/UAA Faculty/Staff/Students: $5.00
Hydration is vital for optimal performance and health. Urine specific gravity measures the density (concentration) of a urine sample and provides a value to rate hydration status. A small urine sample is collected at the time of your appointment then measured by a refractometer (hand held device) with results displayed within seconds. Typically, this test is added along with other performance tests.
Data collected: USG value between 1.005-1.060
Body Composition – 30 minutes
Cost: Community: $20; UAA Faculty/Staff: $15; UAA Student: $10
Determines percent of lean body mass and body fat; both determinants of health and performance. The test includes the use of skinfold calipers applied to various body sites (3 or 7 sites) to measure body composition. A method using bioelectrical impedance (BIA) may also be utilized. While less invasive BIA is also less accurate than skinfolds, however it is convenient and can be a trending tool. There is a 2% to 3% margin of error with the skinfold test and more with BIA.
Nutritional Counseling with Registered Dietician – 75 minutes
Cost: Community/UAA Faculty/Staff/Students: $95
Review and assess diet, performance tests/training, medical history, supplement use, and medications. Collect anthropometric: height, weight, body composition. Provide recommendations. May be used in conjunction with physiology and performance tests or individually. Consultation with Rikki Keen, MS, RD, CNSD, CSSD, CSCS. Click on Rikki's name to see her profiles. Rikki Keen profile on FRS website; Rikki Keen profile on Coach Tom Shaw website.
Movement for Function Screening – 20 minutes
Cost: Community: $20; UAA Faculty/Staff: $15; UAA Student: $10
A battery of movement screens that helps to both prevent non-contact injuries and facilitate more effective training techniques.
Motion Analysis (coming soon) – Time to be determined by activity
Cost: TBD based on activity and time
Athletic Performance Profile Assessment (combination of specific tests) – 90-120 minutes
Cost: Community: $275; UAA Faculty/Staff: $205; UAA Student: $175
Cardiorespiratory Test (VO2 Max), Fitness Testing, Body Composition, Functional Movement Screening, Metabolic Testing (RMR), Hydration Test
Complete Personal Fitness Assessment – 90 minutes
Cost: Community: $145; UAA Faculty/Staff: $110; UAA Student: $75
Cardiorespiratory test (VO2 Submax), Fitness Testing, Body Composition, Functional Movement Screening, Hydration Test
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