Aerobic Capacity

1. Aerobic Capacity Dr. Ayers HPHE 1650

2. 2008 Physical Activity Guidelinesfor Children and Adolescents(Ages 6–17) • Participate in 60+ minutes PA per day • Most of this time should be MVPA aerobic • Include vigorous-intensity PA 3+d/week • Include muscle-strengthening and bone-strengthening activity

3. 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Adults (Ages 18 and Older) • 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity activity Or • 75 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity activity Or • A combination of moderate and vigorous activity

4. Aerobic Capacity Defined • The ability to exercise or play for extended periods without getting tired (USDHHS, 2008) • The ability to perform large-muscle, dynamic, moderate-to high-intensity exercise for prolonged periods (ACSM, 2010) • Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Midcourse Report: Strategies to Increase Physical Activity Among Youth (see Table1): http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/midcourse/pag-mid-course-report-final.pdf

5. F.I.T.T. Principle • Frequency • Number of times per week • Intensity • Absolute: moving at a pace (e.g.,12-minute mile) • Relative: RPE, percentage of HR max, HR reserve, or VO2max • Time (or duration) • Minutes accrued (e.g., 60 minutes per day) • Minutes at once (e.g., 15-minute bouts) • Type • Aerobic activities (recreational or athletic) .

6. Important Developmental Considerations • Children are not “little adults” • Child’s score on aerobic capacity assessment does not predict endurance activity performance • The concept of aerobic fitness can be taught to students of all ages, but the practice of aerobic training must take into consideration developmental differences. • See Table 5.1 (p. 77)

7. Appropriate Elementary Practices • Allow intermittent play, which is natural to children • Use circuits with aerobic stations to allow aerobic activity with rest breaks • Concept: Link activity intensity and heart rate. • Assess by feeling the heartbeat with hand on heart • 4th- 6thgraders: learn to palpate the pulse but not use a THRZ • Assessment values not indicative of a training effect or amount of activity; scores may represent genetics, growth and maturation, motivation, body composition, etc.

8. Appropriate Middle School Practices • Encourage longer bouts of continuous exercise • Concept: Link activity intensity and heart rate • Palpate pulse and link intensity of activity with heart rate (HR) • Maintaining activity within an aerobic target zone not required • Link aerobic exercise to a variety of enjoyable lifetime activities • Combine aerobic activities with skill-building activities

9. AppropriateHigh School Practices • Encourage continuous bouts of exercise • Concept: Link activity intensity to heart rate and oxygen consumption. • Palpate pulse and link intensity of activity with heart rate (HR). • Calculate target heart rate zones (THRZ) and monitor pulse. Students in upper grades can strive to exercise continuously within this zone. (continued)

10. Adults (18+yrs) can follow adult F.I.T.T. guidelines: • Health: • Accrue 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week. • Fitness: • Frequency = 3-5 x/week • Intensity = THRZ • Time = 20-60 minutes • Type = aerobic activity

11. Intensity Monitoring • Heart rate • Hand on heart (elementary) • Carotid or radial pulse (MS/HS) • Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) • Children under-predict their exertion • Use with high school students • Talk test • Sing: intensity too low; can’t talk: too high • All ages

12. Pulse Taking • Use two fingers (index and middle) • No thumb (has a pulse) • Firm but gentle pressure • Radial: wrist, thumb side of tendons • Carotid: neck, groove beside Adam’s apple • Counting options • 10 seconds and multiply by 6 • Use chart with # beats in 10 seconds • 6 seconds and add 0 (easy math)

13. Aerobic Target Heart Rate Zone (THRZ) • Maximum heart rate: 207 – (.7 × age) • Maximum heart rate formula: MHR × .65= low end of zone MHR × .75= high end of zone • Karvonen (HRR) formula: MHR – RHR × .50+ RHR = low end of zone MHR – RHR × .60+ RHR = high end of zone • The ranges should be calculated using percentages appropriate to the fitness level of the individual. Midpoints are used here (see THRZ worksheet online)

14. Examples of Aerobic Intensity Levels Moderate intensity • Hiking • Canoeing • Brisk walking • Bike riding* • Skateboarding • Active housework or yard work (sweep, mow) • Throw and catch games Vigorous intensity • Run and chase games • Jumping rope • Martial arts (e.g., karate) • Sports (e.g., soccer, swimming, tennis) • Vigorous dancing • Bike riding* *Note that activities like bike riding can be either moderate or vigorous, depending on the level of exertion

15. Types of Aerobic Training • Continuous: Activities that last several minutes or longer such as distance running, snowshoeing, and swimming • Fartlek training: Continuous training or “speed play.” Used with athletes but may be modified for obstacle courses and fun runs. • Interval: Short bursts of high-intensity activity with rest periods • Aerobic intervals alternate ↓ and ↑ ends of the THRZ. If done without breaks, they represent a form of Fartlek training. • Circuit: Stations (i.e., rope jumping, step aerobics, dribbling a ball, etc.) • Without breaks this is a form of continuous training • With high-intensity stations and rest breaks this is interval training

16. Aerobic Assessments • Fitnessgram assessments: • PACER • Mile run • Mile walk • Brockport Physical Fitness Test (BPFT) • Aerobic capacity assessments modified for people with disabilities

17. Safety • Use developmentally appropriate activities and intensities • Maintain hydration—drink before, during, and after activity • Avoid overheating, overcooling • Include appropriate rest breaks • Review school records for health information • Modify activities as needed

18. Summary • Active youth are more likely to become active adults • Adjust aerobic activity to match developmental level and fitness level • Use cross-curricular activities • Combine with skills • Keep it fun THRZ calculation & practice sheets