
PROTOCOL OPERATION
A protocol operation cycles the ergometer through a predefined workload sequence, automatically. The
protocol may be designed to alter the workload according to time or a physiological response such as
heart rate. Several of the protocols may be modified or customized by the user to suit specific needs.
The programmed sequence of workload may be set to provide a varying workload. The rate of change of
the workload may be specifically set in some protocols. Still other protocols may exercise the subject to a
maximum (or submaximal) effort to determine an index of fitness (oxygen consumption).
A protocol may terminate based on the passage of time or the satisfaction of a specific physiological con-
ditions such as a “steady state” heart rate. For details, refer to the specific protocol operation description.
At the conclusion of a protocol, a summery is printed, if the optional external printer is installed. This report
includes various identification data: the protocol name , the subjects age, weight, sex. In addition, test re-
sults are printed, including the predicted maximum heart rate, the actual steady state heart rate, the maxi-
mum workload and the “V02 max”. The V02 maximum is expressed both as a total body usage in l/minute
and per kg of body weight in ml/kg/minute. If a printer is not available, only the V02 max data, both in l/min
and ml/kg/min are displayed. The interpretation and meaning of the V02 max data is specific to the design
of the particular protocol. Certain protocols are simply programmed exercise and therefore are not de-
signed to measure V02. Please refer to the specific protocol description prior to attaching any significance
to the reported value.
The computer controller for the 839 Ergometer can preform different protocols in addition to strict manual
operation. Four protocols have been preset and 2 are partly preset . Several preprogrammed protocols
measure oxygen consumption at steady state: the Astrand, using a single workload, the YMCA, using
multiple branching workloads (“YMCAs Way to Physical Fitness” bicycle test) and the Bruce and
Naughton, using multiple increasing workloads (treadmill protocols adapted to bicycles ergometry). Addi-
tional preprogrammed protocols, not designed to measure V02, provide timed increasing workloads (ramp
and incremental) and a heart rate training program in which a target heart rate is set and the ergometer
attempts to maintain the target rate by varying the applied workload accordingly.
All protocol operations enable the heart alarm feature. The alarm value is preset to 220 - age. During the
test setup procedure, the maximum heart rate may be changed depending on the subjects exercise
prescription or other constraints.
If the heart rate exceeds the alarm value, a beeping tone will be heard until the heart rate falls below the
alarm point or the alarm is disabled. When the alarm sounds, the workload is removed, automatically, to
prevent overstressing the subject.
The alarm feature may be disabled, particularly if the protocol does not require monitoring of the subject’s
heart rate. If heart rate is not being monitored, start the protocol and then disable the alarm.
The automatic protocol attempt to exercise the subject at specific oxygen consumption levels. The
ergometer achieves this by producing a braking force which, in normal individuals, requires the consump-
tion of the desired volume of oxygen. Note that most protocols express the V02 in ml/kg/min, therefore,
the total V02 required is calculated using the subjects weight and subsequently converted to a power
workload. The table below shows the nominal work equivalent to various oxygen consumption rates.
Work load Oxygen uptake
(kpm/min) (L/min)
300 0.9
600 1.5
900 2.1
1200 2.8
1500 3.5
1800 4.2
2100 5.0
2400 5.7
4:3