The School of Human Life Sciences offers a range of exercise testing services to the general public. All tests are performed in the Human Performance Laboratory at the Launceston Campus of The University of Tasmania.
The School also runs an Exercise Clinic for people with complex or chronic disease referred by their general practitioner and performs talent identification testing for the Australian Sports Commission.
Exercise Physiology Clinic Information
These tests are suitable for anyone who is interested in their own health and fitness, sports people who want to assess the effectiveness of their training and those who require an exercise test for a potential employer.
The maximal test of aerobic power (VO2max) is available to males under 45 and females under 55 who are apparently healthy. The determination of health status for the purpose of this exercise test is made by completing a health questionnaire and having your blood pressure measured. Those who have risk factors for certain diseases or who exceed the age limit will be required to obtain written advice from a medical doctor that they are suitable for maximal exercise testing.
There are almost no restrictions for the other tests listed below.
The tests are supervised by a tertiary qualified Exercise Physiologist with ten years of experience in exercise testing. After each test you will receive a written report that includes your test results and an interpretation of these results, as well as an opportunity to discuss your results with the physiologist.
The tests listed below are the most commonly request tests, but other types of tests and specific test protocols are available on request. For example, tests of muscle function on an isokinetic dynamometer, cardiac function on a 12-lead ECG, sprint performance using light gates and movement analysis using digital video and specialised software.
| Aerobic Power Test (Maximal). | |
| Purpose: | To determine VO2max, anaerobic threshold and cardiorespiratory function. |
| Experience: | You will exercise at progressively increasing work rates on an exercise bike or treadmill, until volitional fatigue (i.e. you achieve your maximum heart rate). During the test, the air you breathe out is collected analysed to determine your maximum rate of oxygen consumption (VO2max). The test lasts for only 10-15 minutes and is very intense at the end. You may experience transient dizziness and possibly nausea and fainting although the latter two symptoms are rare. |
| Aerobic Power Test (Sub-maximal). | |
| Purpose: | To determine VO2max and cardiorespiratory function. |
| Experience: | You will exercise at progressively increasing work rates until you achieve a predetermined sub-maximal heart rate or predetermined sub-maximal work rate. The test lasts for 10-15 minutes and only reaches a moderate intensity (i.e. you do not achieve your maximum heart rate). Your heart rate response to exercise is used to estimate your maximum aerobic power. You are unlikely to experience any symptoms given the relatively low intensity of exercise achieved in this test. |
Note that rowing and kayak athletes can be accommodated as we have ergometers for these disciplines.
| Lactate Profile Test. | |
| Purpose: | To determine lactate threshold and ideal exercise training intensity for endurance athletes. |
| Experience: | You will exercise at progressively increasing work rates until you achieve two blood lactate concentrations above 4 mM/L. The test lasts for 15-25 minutes and reaches a moderate to high intensity (i.e. you usually do not achieve you maximum heart rate). At 2-3 minute intervals during the test, a drop of blood is taken from you by using a lancet to prick your finger or earlobe. The lactate concentration of the blood is analysed and used to determine the results of the test. You are unlikely to experience any symptoms given the moderate intensity of exercise achieved in this test. This test can also be modified to serve as a maximal exercise test with gas analysis to determine peak VO2 consumption. |
| Body Composition Assessment (Sum of Skin Folds). | |
| Purpose: | To determine percent body fat. |
| Experience: | The thickness of 3-7 folds of skin at specific locations on the right hand side of the body are measured with a set of callipers, three times each. The sites are; calf, thigh, hip (suprailliac), abdomen, biceps, triceps and back (subscapular). You are required to expose these regions of your body to the clinician to enable the measurement of the thickness of the skin fold. A formula is used to estimate % body fat. Bio-impedance (electrical resistance) and x-ray (DXA) analysis of body composition is also available upon request. |
|
Test |
Cost (Inc GST) |
|---|---|
| Aerobic Power (max.) | $110 |
| Aerobic Power (submax.) |
$55 |
| Lactate Profile |
$165 |
| Body Composition (skinfolds) |
$65 |
| Body Composition (DEXA) | $100 |
Discounts are available for groups or multiple tests done at the same time.
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Contacts |
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|---|---|
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Mr James Fell |
Dr Andrew Williams |
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Lecturer in Exercise Science |
Lecturer |
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School Of Human Life Sciences |
School of Human Life Sciences |
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University of Tasmania |
University of Tasmania |
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Locked Bag 1320 |
Locked Bag 1320 |
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Launceston Tasmania |
Launceston Tasmania |
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Phone 0363 245485 |
0363 245487 |
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Email James.Fell@utas.edu.au |
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