Richard W. Latin

Comparison of selected physical fitness and performance variables between NCAA Division I and II football players.

The purpose of this study was to compare selected physical fitness and performance variables between National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I and II football players. The subjects included offensive and defensive starters, excluding kickers and punters from 26 NCAA Division I and 23 Division II teams. Offensive players were grouped and compared by the following positions: quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, and line. Defensive players were grouped and compared by the following positions: line, linebackers, and backs. Division I players were better in 58 of 117 comparisons (p ≤ 0.01). Division II players were not found to be better in any of the variables studied.

The accuracy of the ACSM cycle ergometry equation.

The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of the American College of Sports Medicines equation for estimating the oxygen cost of exercise performed on a cycle ergometer. Sixty healthy males, ages 19-39 yr old, performed a five stage (30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 W) submaximal cycle ergometer test while their oxygen uptake was measured. Results indicated the standard error of estimate for the predicted oxygen values ranged from 0.11 to 0.22 l.min-1, with correlations between the actual and predicted values ranging from r = 0.22 to r = 0.50. Total errors ranged from 0.23 to 0.31 l.min-1. The actual oxygen cost was underestimated from 0.16 to 0.29 l.min-1 (P less than 0.05) by the equation at each workload. A revised equation was developed based upon the actual VO2-power relationship. The resulting slope was lower and the intercept higher when compared with the current ACSM equation. The slope and intercept of the revised equation are more consistent with values published in the literature. This equation appears as: VO2 (ml.min-1) = kgm.min-1 x 1.9 ml.min-1) + ((3.5 ml.kg-1.min-1 x kg body weight) + 260 ml.min-1). Predicted values from the revised equation were more accurate as reflected by slightly higher correlations, lower total errors, and lower mean differences from actual VO2 measurements than those from the current equation.

Validation of a cycle ergometry equation for predicting steady-rate ??VO2

The purpose of this study was to validate an equation used for predicting the oxygen cost of leg cycle ergometry. This equation was previously shown to be more accurate than the one of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and appears as: VO2 (ml.min-1) = kgm.min-1 x 1.9 ml.min-1 + ((3.5 ml.kg-1.min-1 x kg body weight) + 260 ml.min-1). Fifty healthy males, ages 18-38 yr old, performed a six-stage (0, 180, 360, 540, 720, and 900 kgm.min-1) submaximal cycle ergometry test while their oxygen uptake was measured. Results indicated the standard error of estimate for the predicted oxygen consumption values ranged from 80-156 ml.min-1, with correlations between the actual and predicted values ranging from r = 0.35 to r = 0.67. Total errors ranged from 92-160 ml.min-1. All of the standard errors and total errors were lower and all of the correlations, except one, were higher at each power load in the validation sample than the original sample. These statistics support the generalizability and accuracy of the new equation. It would appear that the new equation may make accurate predictions in independent samples and is more precise than the ACSM equation.

The accuracy of the ACSM and a new cycle ergometry equation for young women.

The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of the American College of Sports Medicines (ACSM) equation for estimating the oxygen cost of exercise performed by women on a cycle ergometer. Sixty healthy, young females performed a five-stage submaximal cycle ergometry test. Results indicated the SEE for the predicted oxygen values ranged from 79-156 ml.min-1, with total errors (E) ranging from 107-275 ml.min-1. Correlations between the actual and predicted values ranged from r = -0.22 to r = 0.38. The r, SEE, and E were 0.96, 118, and 172, respectively for all of the power loads combined. A revised equation was developed based upon the actual VO2-power relationship. This equation appears as: VO2 (ml.min-1) = kgm.min-1 x 1.6 ml.min-1 + ((3.5 ml.kg-1.min-1 x kg body weight) + 205 ml.min-1). Cross validation was performed on an independent sample of 40 subjects. All of the SEE and E were lower and all of the correlations were higher at each power load in the validation sample. Since the revised equation is based on an actual VO2-power relationship, it would appear that it provides a more accurate depiction of the cycle ergometry VO2-power relationship for women. These facts support its use.

Physiological training effects of playing youth soccer.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if a 9-wk youth soccer program had any effect on cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max and VO2submax), peak knee torque, and flexibility. Subjects were 20 sixth grade boys, 11 of whom were members of a YMCA soccer team: 9 were normally active boys who were not participating in any organized sport during the study who served as a control group. Mean ages (+/- SD) were 11.8 +/- 0.34 and 11.5 +/- 0.60 yr for the soccer and control group, respectively. Initial VO2max values of 49.83 and 47.42 ml . kg-1 . min-1 for the soccer and the control group, respectively, are similar to those reported in the literature for untrained normal boys of this age. Results indicated that playing soccer three times weekly increased VEmax and reduced VO2 (ml . kg-1 . min-1 and 1 . min-1) at a submaximal running speed (all Ps less than 0.05), while no change in VO2max was noted. No significant training effect was observed in peak knee torque or flexibility subsequent to soccer training. It is concluded that the effects of playing soccer in these subjects resulted in no change in cardiorespiratory fitness, peak knee torque, or flexibility.

The accuracy of the ACSM stair-stepping equation.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of the ACSM equation used to estimate the oxygen cost of stepping exercise. The equation appears as: VO2 (mL.kg(-1).min(-1)) = 0.2 (steps.min(-1)) + (step height, m x steps.min(-1) x 2.4) + 3.5. METHODS Subjects were 55 men and women between the ages of 19 and 35 yr. Steady-state VO2 was measured at six different combinations of step heights and step rates. Step heights were 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 m (4, 8, and 12 in, respectively) and step rates were 20 and 25 steps.min(-1). Predicted VO2 for each workload was derived from the ACSM equation. RESULTS Mean differences between actual and predicted VO2 values ranged from -0.2 to -1.1 mL.kg(-1).min(-1) and was -0.6 mL.kg(-1).min(-1) for all workloads combined. All differences except the lowest were significant (P < or = 0.05). Total errors ranged from 1.3 to 2.5 mL.kg(-1).min(-1) and was 1.9 mL.kg(-1).min(-1) for all workloads combined. For all workloads combined, the correlation between actual and predicted VO2 was r = 0.95 with a SEE = 1.7 mL.kg(-1).min(-1). The statistics are comparable to other ACSM prediction equations. CONCLUSION Although all of the mean differences except one were statistically significant, they were judged negligible from a practical standpoint. Therefore, it was concluded that the ACSM equation is an accurate predictor of the oxygen cost of stair-stepping exercise.

Physiological and physical performance changes in female runners during one year of training

Seven female members of a university cross‐country and track team (mean age, height, and weight were 19.4 years, 160 cm, and 52.7 kg, respectively) were physiologically monitored through 1 year of training and competition. Laboratory assessment included measurement of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), ventilation threshold (VT), running economy, percent body fat, elapsed time to exhaustion at VO2max on a treadmill run, and peak grade (PG) reached on a treadmill test. Physical performance was based on elapsed time for completing the same 5 km cross‐country course at the identical time each year. A statistically significant change was noted in only two variables: elapsed time of treadmill running at VO2max (p = 0.03) and 5 km run time (p = 0.04). Two variables were significantly related to 5 km run performance: PG (r = ‐0.925) and speed at VT (r = ‐0.829). The relationship of VO2max and run time was not significant (r = ‐0.287, p >0.05). The change in only one variable, percent body fat, was significantly rel...

Cardiac Structure and Function in Weight Trainers, Runners, and Runner/Weight Trainers

The purpose of this study was to describe and compare cardiac structure and function in adult male weight trainers, runners, and those who do both activities. Subjects had actively participated in the various training programs for the previous five years. Age ranged from 28.4 to 31.3 years in the three groups. Echocardiography was used to assess selected heart diameters, volumes, indices of contractility, and thicknesses, while VO2 max and percent body fat were measured using standard methods. Heart structure and function were expressed in absolute terms and relative to total body weight. An alpha level of .05 was used in all comparisons. Results indicated the runners demonstrated significantly greater relative LVIDd, LVIDs, and LVPW than the weight trainers. The runner/weight trainers possessed significantly greater relative LVIDd, LVIDs, LVPW, IVS, and LVEDV than the weight trainers. No significant differences, absolute or relative, existed between the runner and runner/weight trainer groups in any of the myocardial structure and function variables. It was concluded that men who run or run and weight train have similar structural and functional characteristics of the heart and possess greater relative internal diameter and left ventricular wall thickness than men who only weight train.

Body mass, not gender, predicts VO2 in cycle ergometry

The purpose of this study was to ascertain if gender and selected physiologic and anthropometric factors could account for variations in the oxygen cost of cycle ergometry. Forty women and 25 men volunteered as subjects. Subjects performed a three stage cycle ergometry test at power outputs of 0,360, and 540 kgm·min−1 respectively while their oxygen consumption was measured. The subjects also had several anthropometric, body composition, and knee muscle force measures made. Results indicated that most of the variables were significantly related to cycling VO2 (p ≤ .05). Fat‐free mass (FFM) and fat‐free thigh mass (FFTM) correlated the highest and identically with VO2 (r = .80, .67, and .57) at each respective power output listed above. Using stepwise multiple regression only one variable, FFTM, was associated with the equation for each power output. Because FFM correlated identically with VO2, the resulting equations were statistically equivalent in terms of r2 (.64, .45, and .35, respectively) and SEE (7...

Energy Expenditure of Short-term Exercise Recovery in Trained Runners

The purpose of this study was to compare energy expenditure during the first 20 minutes of recovery after 20 and 40 minutes of exercise at 50 percent and 70 percent of &OV0312;O2 max. Subjects were six male competitive distance runners (mean ± standard deviation: age = 24.5 ± 7.1 years, &OV0312;O2 max = 67.0 ± 3.5 ml•kg–1 •min–1). Open circuit spirometry was used to determine &OV0312;O2. Subjects performed the four exercise conditions on separate days at the same time of day (± one hour), and were in a four-hour fasting state when tested. Recovery energy expenditure (REE) over 20 minutes and for each five-minute period in recovery was significantly greater (p < 0.01) after exercise at 70 percent of &OV0312;O2 max than at 50 percent of &OV0312;O2 max, while no significant difference was found between the 20-minute and 40-minute durations. Interaction was significant, with the more intense and longer exercise yielding a higher REE than the lower intensity and shorter exercise. The REE above resting level for 20 minutes under the four conditions ranged from 46.2 to 75.9 kilojoules. Within the conditions studied, it was concluded that exercise intensity is more important than exercise duration in determining REE.