General fitness testing provides practical assessments of cardiovascular health and exercise capacity without the need for more advanced metabolic testing. Options such as submaximal aerobic testing and maximum heart rate testing can help establish fitness levels, guide exercise intensity, and track changes over time, making them well suited to general health, fitness, and training goals.
Tests Available
Pulmonary Function
Pulmonary function testing is done to determine lung function values such as total lung volume, vital capacity and fractional capacities. This test can provide information about lung volume, airflow, and breathing capacity, and may be useful for general health, exercise, or performance-related assessment.
What to expect
During the test, you will breathe through a mouthpiece connected to testing equipment while wearing a nose clip. HPL staff will guide you through a series of breathing maneuvers, which may include normal breathing, taking a deep breath in, and breathing out as forcefully and completely as possible. You may be asked to repeat the test several times to ensure accurate and consistent results. The test is non-invasive, brief, and supervised by HPL staff.
Maximal Heart Rate Test
A maximal heart rate test is used to determine the highest heart rate an individual can achieve during progressive, high-intensity exercise. This information can help establish more accurate training zones, guide aerobic exercise prescription, monitor training intensity, and support performance goals.
What to expect
During the test, exercise intensity gradually increases until the individual reaches maximal effort or can no longer continue. Heart rate is monitored throughout the assessment by trained staff. Testing can be performed using a variety of exercise modes, including treadmill running, cycling, rowing, or other ergometers available in the Human Performance Lab.
Sub-maximal Exercise Assessment
A sub-maximal exercise test is used to estimate aerobic fitness, exercise capacity, and appropriate training workloads without requiring a person to exercise to maximal effort. Compared with maximal testing, sub-maximal testing is less intense and is often a practical option for assessing fitness, prescribing exercise intensity, or monitoring changes over time.
What to expect
You will complete a progressive exercise test on a treadmill or stationary bike, beginning at an easy intensity and gradually increasing through several stages. Your heart rate and exercise response will be monitored throughout, and you may be asked to provide ratings of perceived exertion. The test is stopped at a predetermined submaximal intensity, so you will not be required to exercise to exhaustion.
Alter-G Treadmill Training
The Alter-G treadmill allows one to run or walk at a reduced percentage of their body weight. A pressurized unit around the treadmill provides lift to the participant, reducing effective body weight by up to 80%. The Alter-G may be used to rehabilitate from an injury or as a method to reduce impact stress during weight bearing exercise. The Alter-G treadmill availability is limited as HPL classes, research, and service obligations have priority.
Other Tests and Protocols
Other tests and protocols can be utilized and/or developed to meet your specific needs and interests.