The test is designed to raise the steady state heart rate of a participant to 100-150 BPM for two consecutive stages. Two consecutive HR measurements must be obtained in the 110-150 BPM range in order to predict VO 2 max. In the YMCA protocol, each work rate is performed for 3 minutes and heart rate is taken during the final 15-30 minutes of the second and third minutes. These 2 heart rates should be within 5 BPM of each other. If not, continue for 1 additional minute.
Blood pressure is monitored once toward the latter portion of each stage.
Greet you participant. Administer PAR-Q if not already complete. Review PAR-Q for any 'yes' answers. Cancel testing and advise physician consultation if any 'yes' answers appear. HR taken during minutes 2 and 3 of each stage.