What clues can we collect from your PNOE breathe analysis test at rest and during exercise??
What are we looking for in the training zones?
RMR metabolic rate: Good Result
> High Fat:CHO ratio ~ 70:30 or higher (Report)
> Normal to high metabolic rate (Report)
As compared to Poor Result as example…
Poor Result
> Low Fat:CHO ratio < 60:40 (Report)
> Poor fat burning ability (check fitness test results)
> Poor cellular health (decreased mitochondrial density/capillarization)
> Nutrition issue
> Metabolic disorder (e.g. diabetic/prediabetic/thyroid)
> Respiratory disorder
> Low metabolic rate (Report)
> Excessive cardio training
> Limited resistance training
> Decreased lean muscle mass (body comp test)
> Chronic dieting
> Metabolic disorder
> Review medical, nutrition and training history and adjust programming accordingly
Cardiovascular limitations
> Best addressed through system specific and intensity specific training
> If you see an early HR plateau (possible sinus node issue), send for investigation (halter ECG and
retest)
> If you see a drop in VO2pulse that cannot be explained with training history (not doing any work at
those intensities) and it does NOT respond to 8-12 weeks of training, send for further investigation
(possible valve issue)
Respiratory limitations
> Look for volume limitations first
> Address capacity issues before capability issues
> IF FVC low, use volume +/- mobility training
> If FVC normal but FEV1 low, use expiratory power +/- mobility training
> If good capacity but poor volumes during the active test, use limitation specific coordination training
at the affected intensity
Metabolic limitations
> Low intensity metabolic limitations are best addressed through nutrition and cardio/Z5 training
> Check breathing at rest (RMR) and then look for respiratory issues during active test. Address with
appropriate respiratory training type (volume, power or coordination)
> High intensity metabolic limitations are best addressed through intensity specific training
> Strength limitations (usually cycling)
> Add resistance training and wattage training at or above their peak wattage
Breathe Frequency throughout zones
- Zone 1 – 18-22
- Zone 2 – 22-28
- Zone 3 – 26-32
- Zone 4 – 32-40
- Zone 5 – 40-55
> Higher score in Respiratory Capability and Breathing and Cognition (Report)
My role as an investigative coach…
1. Need to be able to identify the major structural limitation in order to prescribe the right exercise programming
2. Use report results to drive your platform investigation
3. Use limitations to drive your nutrition and exercise prescription
Testing Tips:
Clues for Cardiovascular limitations
- Best addressed through system specific and intensity specific training
- If you see an early HR plateau (possible sinus node issue), send for investigation (halter ECG and retest)
- If you see a drop in VO2pulse that cannot be explained with training history (not doing any work at those intensities) and it does NOT respond to 8-12 weeks of training, send for further investigation (possible valve issue)
Respiratory limitations
- Look for volume limitations first
- Address capacity issues before capability issues
- IF FVC low, use volume +/- mobility training
- If FVC normal but FEV1 low, use expiratory power +/- mobility training
- If good capacity but poor volumes during the active test, use limitation specific coordination training at the affected intensity
Metabolic limitations
Low intensity metabolic limitations are best addressed through nutrition and cardio/Z5 training
> Check breathing at rest (RMR) and then look for respiratory issues during active test. Address with
appropriate respiratory training type (volume, power or coordination)
> High intensity metabolic limitations are best addressed through intensity specific training
> Strength limitations (usually cycling)
> Add resistance training and wattage training at or above their peak wattage
Testing Tips
- You should always have > 2 RER data points on the app BEFORE starting the test
- Start device, ensure RER is between 0.7 and 1.0, and if so, start test. If not, recalibrate
- Calibrate OUTSIDE or in a window
- ALWAYS complete a parameter check on EVERY new customer
- If the first test is good quality (first step between 100-110bpm and final step >1.15 RER and BF ~50 breaths per minute), then no need to do a parameter check next time
- If the first test is poor quality, use the test to calculate the parameters of the next test
- Try to achieve >1.15 RER by the end of the test to ensure it was hard enough
- Look for continued fat utilization at the highest intensity – if they are still using fat…the test wasn’t hard enough
- Cycling and rowing tests will often NOT result in a BF of >45 – this is normal
- ALWAYS complete spirometry tests on ALL customers to identify respiratory capacity limitations
- Complete spirometry after the RMR and before the Active Test
- Use info in Science Room to order your MIR Spirobank Smart or Spirobank II Smart
- Load results onto the platform as instructed
- Do not complete Active Tests in a fasted state
- If completing an Active Test after an RMR, allow the customer to fuel (gel, energy drink, food) after the RMR
- Allow the customer to recover after completing the parameter check before starting the Active Test (5’ should be enough while you enter the parameters into the platform protocol
Optimal Cardiovascular Results:
Good Result
> Higher score VO2peak (report)
> VO2pulse trend linear with HR trend
> Steady HR trend with no peaks and valleys – for every beat going up; increase in VO2 Pulse
Poor Result
> Lower score on Aerobic Health based upon VO2peak (Report)
> Lower score in Cardiovascular Fitness based upon VO2pulse trend (Report)
> VO2pulse descending trend in relation to HR trend
> Rapid drops/elevations in HR trend – not on Report
> Early plateau in HR – not on Report
Optimal Respiratory Evaluation Results:
Good Result
> Consistent BF ~6-12 breaths per minute (Platform)
> Consistent VT > 0.7L/breath (Platform)
Poor Result
> Inconsistent BF > 14 breaths per minute (Platform)
> Inconsistent VT < 0.5L/breath (Platform)
BF = breathing frequency
VT = ventilatory threshold
Respiratory Capability Results:
Good Result
> Peak VT = 75-85% of FEV1
> Early use of volume in test
> Higher score on Respiratory Capability in Report
Poor Result
> Peak VT < 75-85% of FEV1
> Look for a rise in peakVT during recovery
> Lower score on Respiratory Fitness and Breathing and Stability (Report)
Peak VT =
FEV1 =
Optimal Resting Metabolism Results:
- VT inconsistent clues to other factors
- RMR results – breathing freq, BT and breathing frequency
- If breathe poorly -compare results to active test – respiratory system
- Investigation: we collect clues and correlate
- Ketogenic Diet: naturally higher breathing frequency
- Breathing frequency, or respiratory rate, is the number of breaths a person takes per minute. It can be influenced by a variety of factors, including physical activity, stress, and diet.The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that can induce a metabolic state called ketosis, where the body starts using ketones (a type of molecule produced from fat breakdown) as its primary source of fuel instead of glucose. Some people report experiencing changes in their breathing pattern while following a ketogenic diet, although this may vary from person to person.One possible explanation for an increased breathing frequency while on a ketogenic diet is that the body may be producing more ketones than it can effectively use, resulting in an increase in carbon dioxide production. The body then responds by increasing the respiratory rate to eliminate excess carbon dioxide and maintain proper blood pH levels.
- Diabetic: higher breathing frequency
- One potential reason for an increased breathing frequency in people with diabetes is due to a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). DKA can occur when there is a severe lack of insulin in the body, leading to an increase in ketone production as the body switches to using fat for fuel. Ketones are acidic molecules that can build up in the blood, causing a drop in pH levels and leading to symptoms such as rapid breathing (hyperventilation), fruity breath odor, and confusion.In addition to DKA, there are other potential factors that can contribute to an increased breathing frequency in people with diabetes. For example, high blood sugar levels can lead to an increased workload on the lungs and an increased need for oxygen, which can result in an increased respiratory rate. Additionally, people with diabetes are at an increased risk for conditions such as heart disease and lung disease, which can also contribute to changes in breathing patterns.
- COPD: higher respiratory rate
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a progressive lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe due to the narrowing of the airways and damage to the lung tissues. The severity of COPD symptoms varies from person to person, but one common symptom is an increased respiratory rate or breathing frequency.
One reason for an increased respiratory rate in COPD is due to the decreased efficiency of the lungs in delivering oxygen to the body. This can lead to a buildup of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream, which triggers the respiratory center in the brain to increase the breathing rate to eliminate the excess carbon dioxide. This increase in breathing rate can help compensate for the reduced oxygenation capacity of the lungs and maintain proper levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body.
Another reason for an increased respiratory rate in COPD is due to the increased work of breathing. COPD leads to a decreased elasticity of the lungs and airways, which increases the resistance to airflow and makes it more difficult for the person to breathe. This increased resistance results in increased work of breathing, which in turn leads to an increased respiratory rate as the body tries to compensate for the added workload.
Overall, an increased respiratory rate is a common feature of COPD and is a physiological response to the decreased lung function and increased work of breathing. If you have COPD, it is important to work closely with your healthcare provider to manage your symptoms and optimize your lung function.
- Ketogenic Diet: naturally higher breathing frequency
Ideal Fat Metabolism result:
- High Fat:CHO ratio ~ 70:30 or higher (Report)
- > Normal to high metabolic rate (Report)
Poor Metabolism Results Clues indicate:
> Low Fat:CHO ratio < 60:40 (Report)
> Poor fat burning ability (check fitness test results)
> Poor cellular health (decreased mitochondrial density/capillarization)
> Nutrition issue
> Metabolic disorder (e.g. diabetic/prediabetic/thyroid)
> Respiratory disorder
> Low metabolic rate (Report)
> Excessive cardio training
> Limited resistance training
> Decreased lean muscle mass (body comp test)
> Chronic dieting
> Metabolic disorder
> Review medical, nutrition and training history and adjust programming accordingly