Fitness Testing

Astrand-Rhyming Cycle Ergometer Test

The Astrand Test is a submaximal cycle ergometer aerobic fitness test. There are many other aerobic fitness tests.

equipment required: cycle ergometer, clock or stopwatch, heart rate monitor, ECG monitor (optional)
description: Athletes pedal on a cycle ergometer at a constant workload for 7 minutes. Heart rate is measured every minute, and the steady state heart rate is determined.
scoring: The steady state heart rate is looked up on published tables (nomogram) to determine an estimation of VO_2max. There is also an online calculator available. The lower the heart beat the better your fitness.
validity: the correlation to VO_2max approximately 0.85 - 0.90.
advantages: simple test to administer, reasonably accurate and appropriate for ECG monitoring during exercise.

disadvantages: the test score would be influenced by the variability in maximum heart rate in individuals. It would underestimate the fitness of those with a high maximum heart rate, and overestimate fitness with advancing age (as max HR reduces with age). As it is performed on a cycle ergometer, it would favor cyclists.
references:
- Astrand PO, Rodahl K. Text Book of Work Physiology: Physiological basis of exercise. New York: McGraw Hill, 1986.
- Legge and Banister, The Astrand-Rhyming nomogram revisited J Appl Physiol.1986; 61: 1203-1209
- RE Cink and TR Thomas, Validity of the Astrand-Ryhming nomogram for predicting maximal oxygen intake. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 1981, Vol 15, Issue 3 182-185.