NAUTILUS
®
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MORE WORKOUTS: FIT TEST PROGRAM
FIT TEST PROGRAM
terminate if the heart rate does not continue to rise from state to stage.
In the Nautilus protocol, each work rate is performed for 3 minutes, with heart
rates recorded during the final 4 seconds of the second and third 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 two to four stages until two
steady state heart rates above 115 beats/min are obtained in two 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 VO2max
can then be calculated.
At the end of the 3rd minute of each stage, if the heart rates at the end of the
2nd and 3rd 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 4th minute, the heart
rate is compared to the heart rate at the end of the 3rd minute. If the heart
rates are within 5 beats/min, then the heart rate during the 4th minute is plotted
against the work rate. If the heart rate at the end of the 3rd and 4th 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 4th and 5th minutes are within 5
beats/min, then the heart rate at the end of the 5th minute is plotted against the
work rate. If the heart rate at the end of the 4th and 5th minutes are not within 5
beats/min, then the test failed.
Once two consecutive heart rate measurements are obtained above 115
beats/min range, then the test ends successfully and the results are displayed.
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.