2,000 words (± 10 %)

Part 1. Introduction.

Please provide a brief introduction to the topic, with reference to the literature, including a rationale for the study and aim/hypothesis clearly stated at the end of the section. (Task 1 is worth 10% marks)

Part 2. Methodology.

Provide brief details on the participant, protocol and equipment used. This section should also include time of day and date of testing. You may wish to include a table. (Task 2 is worth 10% marks)

Part 3.

Produce 3 graphs of the results using MS Excel™. The first graph (Figure 1) is: lactate concentration on the y-axis v heart rate on the x-axis; the second (Figure 2) is of lactate concentration on the y-axis v power/speed on the x-axis. The third graph (Figure 3) should be of lactate concentration on the y-axis vs RPE with RPE on the x-axis. Identify the lactate threshold on Figures 1, 2 and 3. Ensure that it is clear what is represented in each Figure and in the tables. Some text before each figure to explain what exactly is being presented and where exactly lactate threshold occurred will do this. Ensure you define the method you have used to determine lactate threshold and reference this in the text. 2 You should also present a table of lap times with both the mean and max heart rate at each of the stages highlighted in this table. Brief text should accompany the figure and table. (Task 3 is worth 20% marks)

Part 4.

Explain how you in your role as a Sport & Exercise Scientist could use the data collected and processed in this session to assist in your participant’s training. In your answer you should demonstrate a clear understanding of the lactate threshold, heart rate, power (bike), treadmill (speed), and RPE as appropriate to your participant when answering this question. In addition you should prescribe a training programme specific to your participant (consider mode/s of exercise/intensity/frequency/duration etc.) to aid improvement of their performance. In your answer discuss some of the physiological adaptations you would expect to see with the training you have prescribed. (Task 4 is worth 50% of marks)

KEY POINT

Remember to use literature sources when answering Task 4 – we will expect to see a minimum of 8 references in your answer but the more you back up your work the more likely you are to gain higher marks. Prescribed sessions can be based on HR, RPE, V̇ O2, speed/power/pace depending on the ergometer used by your participant. 5% of marks are allocated to the reference section and 5% for organisation.

1	Organisation	Structure, presentation: cover sheet included, page numbers, word processed, appropriate scientific language used, correct grammar/spelling/punctuation. Formatting guidelines followed.
2	Introduction	Relevant and coherent introduction to the topic, reference to literature, clear rationale provided and aim/hypothesis stated at the end of the section.
3	Methods	Written in the past tense. Concise and reproducible. Appropriate and relevant data on the participant is provided. Equipment cited appropriately. Reference for how lactate threshold was identified has been included.
4	Results	Appropriate text to explain figures, figures clear & appropriate, titles/units correct, data accurate, lactate threshold identification accurate, appropriate supporting text.
5	Discusson & Training Programme	Question answered fully, knowledge and understanding of area demonstrated, correct interpretation of data in relation to literature, relevant examples used. Underpinning physiology explained. Inclusion of an appropriate training programme for your participant. Prescribed K&U1- 4, I1-4, P2 (50) SES9702 Intermediate Exercise Physiology (Singapore) Module Leader: Tom Johnston Tutors with responsibility: Chee Yong Low Assessment Specification Workbook sessions can be based on HR, RPE, V̇O2, speed/power/pace depending on the ergometer used by your participant
6	Referencing	Complete and accurate both in text and in reference list, conforming to APA convention throughout.

Methods

In groups of no more than 6 people you will need 1 student to volunteer to participate in a graded aerobic exercise test in order that your group can record heart rate, RPE and blood lactate data.

The volunteer participants must have completed a health questionnaire and blood pressure measurements before any exercise is undertaken in this practical. Measure and record the participants’ resting blood pressure, the (O 2 saturation – %SPO 2 level) and resting heart rate (using a heart rate monitor). On completion of the blood pressure measurement test, check that the participant’s blood pressure is deemed “normal” (< 140/95 mm Hg) in order that the participant is past fit to partake in the exercise test. Your group need to design a suitable protocol for assessing the lactate threshold for the ergometer the group is allocated (treadmill, bike or rower).

You will be taking 6 finger/ear lobe prick blood samples from your participant in order to analyse blood lactate concentration. The first sample will be a resting sample. The last sample will be a taken on completion of the test. You will need to judge when to take the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th samples so that you see the participant going through lactate turn point (increase in measured blood lactate). You will be taken through the procedure of blood sampling by the tutors and technicians.

A resting pre-warm up finger/ear prick blood sample is required from the participant with a corresponding resting heart rate and RPE.

Lactate Threshold Testing Protocol: Treadmill

1. Record any pre-test information/data (e.g. health questionnaire, heart rate, blood

pressure), as outlined in Practical 5 document on Moodle.

2. Participants warm up will last 6 minutes.

3. Start at 2km/h and increase speed in warm up by 1km/h every minute for the

duration of the warm up.

4. Running at 8km/h, complete 5×3 minute stages of exercise, with a 1km/h increase in

speed at the end of each stage.

5. Blood lactate, heart rate and RPE should be taken within the final 30 seconds of each

exercise stage.

6. Now, take participant to exhaustion by increasing the treadmill gradient by 1% every

minute until volitional exhaustion.

7. Conduct final blood lactate, heart rate and RPE measurements following the end of

the test.