Another common reason for an abnormal plateau is the food
you’re eating. Too much high-glycemic carbohydrates are the worst;
not enough fats, poor hydration, or any nutritional problems can con-
tribute too.
Even worse than not making progress is regressing. Indeed, that’s
just what happens if your plateau is prolonged — an abnormal
plateau will eventually cause your MAF Test to get worse each time
you check it. If this happens, your body is in a “red alert” and you
should be very cautious. This is when you become most vulnerable to
injury and ill health. One recommended strategy is to cut your over-
all exercise time by 50 percent until you find the problem. This will at
least ensure you get more rest and recovery. If you don’t respect the
advice of your body, you may ultimately need to seek first-aid advice
from a professional. Exhaustion, injury, illness or some other major
breakdown, possibly including mental breakdown, can occur.
Factors That Affect the MAF Test
There are a number of factors that may affect your MAF Test results.
When walking, for example, the type of track surface may have a
slight influence on your pace. The modern high-tech track surfaces
result in a slightly faster pace, whereas the old cinder and dirt tracks
will slow your pace at the same heart rate. Uneven tracks will give
slower times compared to perfectly flat surfaces. On your bike, the
roughness of the road surface, varying grades and traffic can affect
your test results. Hills usually result in a slowing of pace, unless there
are significantly more downhills. Agood option is to use a stationary
apparatus on your test days.
To ensure the MAF Test is accurate, be consistent; use the same
course or method each time you test yourself. If you change your test
course, be sure to note it in your diary or chart.
Other factors that could affect your test include weather conditions
such as wind, rain, snow, temperature and humidity; altitude; hydra-
tion; and your equipment. Most of these factors can work against you
by increasing your physical effort, which raises the heart rate. Since you
are working at a specific heart rate, the result is a slower pace.
One other factor worth mentioning is ill health. When you are
sick, your body’s immune system is working hard to recover, and it
206 • IN FITNESS AND IN HEALTH