1. Results. Abstract Introduction Methods Purpose Conclusions Author: Bhavin Rana Faculty Sponsor: Judy Wilson Ph.D. Class: KINE 4400 Applied Exercise Physiology Department of Kinesiology The University of Texas at Arlington December 4, 2013 The Effects of Assault on a Graded Exercise Test The specific purpose of this research study was to examine whether Assault, a vasodilator, would improve results on a maximal exercise test using the Bruce Protocol. Subjects: Participants involved in this research study were a total of eight healthy, fit males from The University of Texas at Arlington who have never tried pre-workout supplements. Protocol: Participants were given a consent form before any data was collected explaining the procedures of the Bruce Protocol, the risks involved, and ingredients of the supplement Assault and the placebo. Participants were randomly assigned a number from 1 – 8. Even numbers were given the Assault and odd numbers consumed the placebo on their first visit, and vice versa on their second visit. They had to consume 8oz of the drink 30 minutes prior to exercise. While waiting to start the exercise test, participants’ age, height, weight, resting blood pressure, and resting heart rate was recorded. They were also taught hand signals to inform the conductor that they were doing good or that they needed to stop the test. Once the test was started, heart rate was taken every minute while rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and blood pressure was recorded every 3 minutes. After the first visit was over, they were required to return and perform the Bruce Protocol once more no less than 3 days from their first visit. From the results of this research study it can be concluded that there was no significance difference in maximal VO ₂ (p =.61), maximal heart rate (p =.06), maximal blood pressure ( p =.36), or rate of perceived exertion (p =.53) indicating that the energy drink Assault did not result in exercise enhancement as the manufacturer claimed. Demographic Data AverageStandard Deviation Age21.7 ± 2.69 Height (cm)172.37± 5.76 Weight (kg)72.66± 10.80 INTRODUCTION: Maximal oxygen consumption (VO ₂ max) is the maximal capacity of the body to transport oxygen while performing the Bruce Protocol, an incremental stress test. VO ₂ max is the best indicator of an individual’s cardiovascular fitness and aerobic endurance because the more oxygen you can use during a high level exercise, the more ATP (energy) is being produced and is measured in milliliters of oxygen used per kilogram of body weight in one minute (ml/kg/min). PURPOSE: The purpose of this research study was to examine whether Assault, a vasodilator, will improve results on a Bruce Protocol Stress Test. METHODS: Eight healthy, fit males (age 21.7 ± 2.69, height 172.4 ± 5.76 cm, weight 72.7 ± 10.80 kg) who are enrolled in The University of Texas at Arlington volunteered to participate in this study. Each subject performed a graded exercise test on the treadmill until exhaustion. During each test heart rate, blood pressure, and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) was recorded while the systematic machine recorded relative maximal oxygen consumption (VO ₂ max). RESULTS: While consuming the placebo, the maximal oxygen consumption was 44.4 ± 4.39; maximal heart rate 191 ± 7.53; maximal blood pressure (2.15 ±.13); and rate of perceived exertion 17.3 ± 0.76. One the other hand, while consuming Assault, the maximal oxygen consumption was 44.6 ± 4.82; maximal heart rate 193 ± 6.58; maximal blood pressure (2.20 ±.39); and rate of perceived exertion 17.5 ± 0.53. There was no significant difference in maximal oxygen consumption, maximal heart rate, maximal blood pressure, or rate of perceived exertion whether consuming the placebo or Assault (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Analyzing the results reveals that participants had similar values while consuming either the placebo or Assault. This research study concludes that there is no significant difference in VO ₂ max (p =.61), max heart rate (p =.06), max blood pressure (p =.36), and rate of perceived exertion (p =.53); therefore we accept the null hypothesis. Bruce Protocol was designed in 1963 by Robert A. Bruce to assess patients with heart disease and targeted population s of patients with suspected coronary heart disease. This test can also be used to asses the aerobic fitness levels of all individual. When used with a metabolic cart, maximal oxygen consumption, can be determined (VO 2 max). Maximal oxygen uptake is one factor that can determine an athlete’s capacity for aerobic endurance and is measured as milliliters of oxygen used in one minute per kilogram of body weight or ml/min/kg Assault is an energy drink that claims to be a vasodilator and widens the diameter of the blood vessels to allow transport of more oxygenated blood to the muscles. The manufacturer claims that Assault contains performance enhancing ingredients that are formulated to spark muscle growth, enhance power output, maximize concentration, and super charge energy and stamina, and result in increased focus and training intensity.