Who is each package designed for and what is each component?

Cardiovascular Fitness Assessment

This assessment is intended for individuals who are looking for details of their cardiovascular fitness. It is a tool for training, racing, and/or overall fitness. We measure cardiovascular fitness directly with our metabolic cart (VO2max), lactate threshold/training zone determination directly via blood analysis, substrate utilization (calories of fat and carbohydrate at each intensity), body composition analysis via skin-fold assessment. The focus on the testing is cardiovascular fitness, training, and/or racing.

Triathlete Package

Designed with the triathlete in mind. This package includes two cardiovascular fitness tests. Use the tests to evaluate both your bike and run or save one of the tests for later in the season. Also included is a underwater swim analysis. Swim analysis consists of a video of your swimming, initial recommendations for stroke correction while in the pool, and review of video in the lab. Video will be mailed to you after your analysis.

Caloric Needs Assessment

Includes everything you need to monitor you calorie output: resting metabolic rate and calorie and fuel use during exercise, heart rate training zones, and consultation on the results. Body composition also measured to monitor changes.

Body Composition and Resting Metabolism

If you are looking to determine your body composition and resting metabolic rate this is for you.

General Fitness Package

The general fitness package is intended for individuals just getting into a fitness lifestyle or simply interested in overall health. We perform a sub-maximal test for estimation VO2max (not measuring it directly with our metabolic cart like in the endurance test), training zone estimation, body composition analysis via skin-fold assessment, flexibility, muscular strength and endurance testing.

Individual Components Defined

Maximal Oxygen Consumption (VO2max)
Aerobic capacity is determined by the maximal amount of oxygen the human body is able to utilize per minute of physical activity. Because all tissues and organs in the body need oxygen to function, higher oxygen consumption indicated a more efficient cardiorespiratory system.

Lactate Threshold/Training Zone Determination
Utilizing analysis of your blood and fuel utilization (carbs and fat) during the test we will determine optimal heart rates for the type of training that bests suits you. Training for different types of events demands strengthening specific energy systems. Without the knowledge of those systems and how to stress them training is not optimized.

Resting Metabolic Rate for determination of daily calorie needs
Resting metabolic rate (RMR) is used for determination of calorie needs during rest. With a RMR evaluation calorie needs can be estimated for a normal 24-hour period. In conjunction with a goal of a set level of exercise your calorie needs for weight loss, gain, or maintenance can be determined.

Hydrostatic Body Composition (% body fat)
Hydrostatic weighing is a method of measuring percent body fat. Currently it is considered the "gold standard" of body composition assessment followed by a method measuring skin fold thickness. Either test can be reliable and accurate if performed by the same person utilizing consistent techniques.

Hydrostatic weighing consists of measuring ones underwater weight while submerged and after forcing all the air from your lungs. Because you have to be underwater and blow all of your air out it is important that the individual be comfortable underwater. The underwater weight is then put into a regression equations along with water temp and a lung volume to predict % body fat.

Muscular Strength
Muscular strength refers to the maximal force that can be generated by a specific muscle or group of muscles.

Muscular Endurance
Muscular endurance is the ability of a muscle group to perform repeated contractions during a given period of time.

Flexibility
Flexibility is the maximum ability to move a joint through a range of motion. It depends on a number of specific variables including genetics, physical activity, muscle temperature, body fat and muscle. Additionally, compliance of various tissues such as ligaments and tendons affects the range of motion.

Phone: (919) 760-8769 - Fax: (919) 760-2341 - hpl@meredith.edu

3800 Hillsborough Street    Raleigh, NC 27607-5298