APPENDIX D

STATIONARY BICYCLE TEST

Only stationary bicycles which can be calibrated and which have mechanically adjustable resistances may be used to test profiled soldiers on the 6.2-mile (10-kilometer), alternate APFT event. Therefore, the event supervisor or scorer must be sure that the stationary bicycle can be accurately adjusted to ensure that the soldier pedals against the correct resistance (force) of 2 kiloponds or 20 newtons. If the stationary bicycle cannot be properly calibrated and adjusted, the soldier may end up pedalling against a resistance which is too great or not great enough. In either case, the test would not provide an accurate indication of the soldier’s level of cardiorespiratory fitness.

The best type of stationary bicycle for testing has the following features:

• Calibration adjustment.
• Adjustable resistance displayed in kiloponds or newtons.
• Odometer which accurately measures the distance traveled in either miles or tenths of miles or in kilometers and tenths of kilometers.

Examples of stationary bicycles which meet the above criteria are the mechanically braked Bodyguard 990 and Monark 868. Such bicycles can be used to accurately measure a person’s rate of work or the total amount of work. They are often called bicycle ergometers.

If the stationary bicycle has an odometer, the soldier must pedal 6.2 miles (10.0 kilometers or 10,000 meters) against a resistance set at 2 kiloponds or 20 newtons. The test is completed when the soldier pedals 6.2 miles (10.0 kilometers). He receives a “Go” if he is below or at the time allotted for his particular age group and gender. Care should be taken to ensure that, when using a stationary bicycle which measures distance in kilometers, the test is ended at 10 kilometers, not 6.2 kilometers.

There are many electrically operated, stationary bicycles (EOSBS) on the market and in gymnasiums on Army installations. Most of them are designed for physical fitness training. Only a limited number of EOSB models are designed to accurately assess a person’s energy expenditure during exercise. Such EOSBS are relatively expensive and are generally found in medical and scientific laboratories. Very few, if any, are found in gymnasiums on Army installations.

Because most of the more common training EOSBS were not designed to accurately assess energy expenditure, they should not be used for the alternate, cardiorespiratory APFT event.

For the sake of accuracy and ease of administration, soldiers designated to be tested on either of the two bicycle protocols should be tested using a moving bicycle IAW the guidelines provided elsewhere in this field manuel. If the mechanically-braked Bodyguard 990 or Monark 868 is used, however, the tester must ensure that the equipment has been properly calibrated prior to each test.

• Table of Contents
• Chapter 1 - INTRODUCTION
• Chapter 2 - CARDIORESPIRATORY FITNESS
• Chapter 3 - MUSCULAR ENDURANCE AND STRENGTH
• Chapter 4 - FLEXIBILITY
• Chapter 5 - BODY COMPOSITION
• Chapter 6 - NUTRITION AND FITNESS
• Chapter 7 - CIRCUIT TRAINING AND EXERCISE DRILLS
• Chapter 8 - OBSTACLE COURSES AND ADDITIONAL DRILLS
• Chapter 9 - COMPETITIVE FITNESS ACTIVITIES
• Chapter 10 - DEVELOPING THE UNIT PROGRAM
• Chapter 11 - PHYSICAL TRAINING DURING INITIAL ENTRY TRAINING
• Chapter 12 - ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
• Chapter 13 - INJURIES
• Chapter 14 - ARMY PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST
• APPENDIX A - PHYSIOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE SEXES
• APPENDIX B - POSITIVE PROFILE FORM
• APPENDIX C - PHYSICAL FITNESS LOG
• APPENDIX D - STATIONARY BICYCLE TEST
• APPENDIX E - SELECTING THE RIGHT RUNNING SHOE
• APPENDIX F - CALCULATIONS OF VO2 MAX
• APPENDIX G - PERCEIVED EXERTION
• APPENDIX H - THE MAJOR SKELETAL MUSCLES OF THE HUMAN BODY
• PREFACE
• GLOSSARY
• REFERENCES
• AUTHORIZATION LETTER