Stairmaster 4000 PT series, Owner'S Manual

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state heart rate of the subject to 110 to 150 beats/min for two consecutive
stages. It is important to remember that two consecutive heart rate measure-
ments must be obtained in the 110 to 150 beats/min range to predict VO
2max
.
The test typically lasts from 9 to 15 minutes.
In the StairMaster protocol, each work rate is performed for 3
minutes, with heart rates recorded during the final 4 seconds of the 2
nd
and 3
rd
minutes of each stage. If the heart rates are within 5 beats/min, then the
heart rate during the last minute is plotted against the work rate, and the
program advances to the next 3-minute stage. The program continues for 2 to
4 stages until 2 steady state heart rates between 110 to 150 beats/min are
obtained in 2 consecutive stages. The line generated from the plotted points is
then extended to the age-predicted maximal heart rate. A corresponding
maximal work rate and VO
2max
can then be calculated.
At the end of the 3
rd
minute of each stage, if the heart rates at the end
of the 2 nd and 3 rd minute are not within 5 beats/min of each other, then that
work rate is maintained for an additional minute. At the end of the 4
th
minute,
the heart rate is compared to the heart rate at the end of the 3 rd minute. If the
heart rates are within 5 beats/min, then the heart rate during the 4
th
minute is
plotted against the work rate. If the heart rate at the end of the 3 rd and 4 th
minute are not within 5 beats/min, then the work rate is maintained for one
more additional minute. If the heart rate at the end of the 4
th and 5 th minutes
are within 5 beats/min, then the heart rate at the end of the 5
th
minute is
plotted against the work rate. If the heart rate at the end of the 4
th
and 5
th
minutes are not within 5 beats/min, then the test failed.
Once 2 consecutive heart rate measurements are obtained in the 110
to 150 beats/min range, then the test ends successfully and the results are
displayed. The estimated maximum aerobic capacity is shown in ml/kg/min
and METs. Next, the results are compared to normative values for others of
the same age range and gender (see Table 2). Results are stored in the
console until the next person starts an exercise program.
4000 PT CONSOLE