Lung Function Testing Sequence Terminating a fitness test

1. Lung FunctionTesting SequenceTerminating a fitness test 16/04/2012 SHMD 139

2. Lungs

3. Alveoli

4. The lungs contain more than 600 million alveoli. If spread out, lung tissue would cover about one half of a tennis court. An average adult-sized lung weighs about 1kg.

5. Pg 167 Lung Function Why? Assess whether the airways between the mouth and the alveoli are clear and favorable to good air flow. Poor lung function will limit the amount of oxygen that can be delivered to the bloodstream and the tissues.

6. Pg 168 Lung Function Measured using peak flow meter. • Measure: Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) which is a measurement of the power of the lungs. • Tells us how much air would pass through our lungs if we breathed in an out at our maximum power for one minute.

7. Lung Function Pg 167 • Ask the client to hold the peak flow meter directly in front of their mouth. • Ask them to turn their head to the side and take three deep breaths. • On the third breath, ask them to put their mouths around the end of the tube and, ensuring a good lip seal, blow as hard as they can into the tube. • Instruct that it should be a short, sharp blow, as if they were using a pea-shooter. • Repeat twice more and take the highest reading. This is called their peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR).

8. Pg 168 Lung Function • Need to know gender, age and height of client to work out their acceptable score. • If the client’s score is 100 below the acceptable figure, this is classified as poor lung function and they should be referred to a GP before they exercise. • Example:

10. Test Sequence • The order in which you conduct the tests must be considered as it may change the accuracy of the results you produce • Some testing may have to be done on different days to produce the best result • Example: a test that requires maximal effort will require a few hours for recovery. A test requiring a high level of skill or co-ordination needs to be done first because skill level decreases when you are tired Pg 171

11. Test Sequence • The correct order would be: • Sedentary tests such as - height - weight - body composition - flexibility • Agility tests • Maximum power & strength tests • Sprint tests • Muscular endurance tests • Aerobic endurance test Pg 171

12. Reasons to Terminate a Fitness Test • There will be occasions when it becomes unsafe to continue a test due to physiological changes within the client. Pg 171

13. Reasons to Terminate a Fitness Test • The following is a list of specific situations when a test should be stopped: • Chest pains or angina-like symptoms • Excessive blood pressure (250/115) • Shortness of breath and wheezing • Leg cramps or pain • Light-headedness, nausea or pale, clammy skin Pg 171

14. Reasons to Terminate a Fitness Test • Heart rate does not rise with exercise intensity • Irregular heart beat • Client requests to stop • Signs and symptoms of severe exhaustion • Equipment fails Pg 172

15. Questions • In your own words, explain why the sequence of testing is important. Provide an example. 4 • List, in order, the correct sequence of testing. 7 • List 7 situations which could occur that would cause a test to be terminated. 7 • What risk does an excessive blood pressure pose during testing. 2 • What should happen to heart rate during exercise testing? 1

16. Questions • Why should the test be stopped if the equipment fails? 2 • What is the reason for assessing lung function? 3 • What are the implications of a poor lung function? 3 • What instrument do you use to measure lung function? 1 • What does peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) mean, and what does it measure? 4 • Describe the procedure for measuring lung function. 10