Sparks Systems / Advanced Metabolic Testing

Screen Shot - Anna

Anna Sparks MS
Founder and Owner, Coach, Physiologist

Anna Sparks has been working as a personal coach for over six years. Anna is remarkably qualified for a science-based approach to coaching and has an undeniable genuine desire to help athletes realize their full potential. Anna’s impressive athletic resume began with the Ole Miss Rebels Soccer Team at the University of Mississippi where she also received a B.S. degree in Exercise Science and Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology. She began dabbling in cycling and triathlon in 2004 after her collegiate soccer career.  She realized her talent on the bike and transitioned to competitive cycling in 2009 and and went on to race in the women’s professional peloton for six years. After her professional career, Anna still rides with friends, and has aspirations to become a professional hiker.

Anna was a graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Ole Miss Rebels athletic department while completing her master’s degree. During this time, Anna also completed an internship in strength and conditioning at Auburn University working with Olympic swimmers. After completing her master’s degree she became the assistant soccer coach at The University of Arkansas and spent four years coaching the Lady Razorback Soccer Team. She moved to Phoenix, AZ in 2008 to join the Arizona State Sun Devils as the assistant soccer coach and also worked for 4 years as a personal coach for Sigma Coaching before starting Sparks Systems in 2015.

As the CEO and Founder of Sparks Systems, Anna trains all of the Sparks Systems’ metabolic coaches and oversees the functions of the entire organization. As both the “brains” and “heart” of Sparks Systems, she inspires people to become the best version of themselves — both as metabolically efficient human beings and as persons of integrity.  

Screen Shot #4
Screen Shot #1
Screen Shot #2
Screen Shot #3

Sparks Systems’ scientific approach to nutrition and training will empower you to achieve your fitness and wellness goals. By utilizing metabolic testing to pinpoint your exact nutritional and exercise needs, we will help you will achieve your healthiest self. 

Sparks Nutrition, is provided by a Registered Dietician Metabolic Efficiency Training Specialist™to guide clients towards health, wellness and fitness by modifying daily and sports nutrition to promote metabolic efficiency. Metabolic efficiency is a key component to optimizing blood sugar and insulin levels, burning more body fat and having a leaner body, decreasing body inflammation, boosting your body’s ability to heal and recover, increasing overall energy and strength, decreasing injury and risk of chronic disease, and improving athletic performance. 

Sparks Systems utilizes running, cycling, and/or resting metabolic testing to pinpoint inefficiencies in both training and nutrition. Addressing these inefficiencies enables maximum return on investment.
The results from a client’s Sparks Systems metabolic test serve dual purposes:
1. To help our coaches determine heart rate training zones to increase overall aerobic fitness, and 2. To help our registered dietician accurately modify daily nutrition to address any/all inefficiencies. After performing a metabolic test, clients will be provided with individual heart rate zones, which removes the guesswork out of training and the ability to increase your overall aerobic fitness. Your results will also be used to determine where inefficiencies lie from a metabolic standpoint, so overall health can be addressed through modifications in nutrition and adjusting the intensity of training.
  

Watch our New Video Produced by POINTE IMAGES

DSC_5222-X5

Frequently Asked Questions 

WHAT IS ADVANCED METABOLIC AND CARDIOPULMONARY STRESS TESTING (CPX)?

Advanced Metabolic & Cardiopulmonary Stress Testing is used to evaluate how well your heart and lungs are working during exercise. It also provides a clear picture of your individual metabolism and how your body utilizes food for fuel. The testing measures the amount of oxygen being consumed and how much of that oxygen is actually going to the working muscles. An individual’s ability to consume and utilize oxygen is directly related to their risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

WHY ARE ADVANCED METABOLIC & CARDIOPULMONARY STRESS TESTS PERFORMED?

Advanced Metabolic & Cardiopulmonary Stress Testing can be done for many reasons. Some of these reasons include:
1. Shortness of breath
2. Evaluate/detect heart failure
3. Evaluate lung function
4. Understanding how your body utilizes fat and carbohydrate
5. Identify resting metabolic rate
6. Address weight loss, gain, or maintenance
7. Overall evaluation of cardiopulmonary health

WHAT IS A PULMONARY FUNCTION TEST?

We will also be looking at how well your lungs are working by administering Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) also known as spirometry. These tests will
determine how effective your lungs are at bringing oxygen to your entire body. PFTs are performed for the following reasons:
If you have any symptoms of lung issues
To measure the effectiveness of bronchodilators
During a routine physical
Determine how well your lungs are working before a surgical procedure
To determine if an already diagnosed lung condition is progressing

PFTs can also help diagnosis the following:
Asthma
Chronic bronchitis
Allergies
Lung Fibrosis
Respiratory infections
Pulmonary tumors
COPD, which is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease also known as emphysema
Bronchiectasis, a condition where the airways widen and stretch
Asbestosis, a condition caused by exposure to asbestos
Scleroderma, a disease affecting your connective tissues

HOW ARE THE TESTS PERFORMED AND HOW LONG DOES THE TESTING TAKE?

The Resting Metabolic Assessment and lung function testing are both performed sitting in comfortable chair. The exercise component is performed on a stationary bicycle. Total time for the test will be 1 hour, including time for warm-up, the testing assessments, and an overview of the results.

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR TESTING?

1. Do not exercise the day of your test. Any exercise done the day before should be a very easy effort (conversational pace), and no more than one hour long.
2. Do not consume nicotine 3 hours before the test.
3. No thermogenic aids (weight loss products/metabolic enhancers) 24 hours prior to the test.
4. Do not consume alcohol 24 hours before the test.
5. Do not eat 3 hours prior to the test. You may drink water in that 3-hour time period, just no tea, soda, coffee, or juice.
6. Do not use lotions on chest area and make sure chest is shaved for ECG electrode placement
7. You should not stop any medications without contacting your prescribing doctor.

WHAT DO I WEAR AND BRING TO TESTING?

Comfortable workout clothing such as shorts and shirt/sports top.
Your completed Customer Information Packet
Water bottle
Hand towel
Hair pulled back if it is long
Medications (i.e. inhalers)
Closed-toe shoes

WHAT EXACTLY WILL HAPPEN DURING THE TEST?

During the Resting Metabolic Test you will relax in a chair while a comfortable mask is placed over your mouth and nose in order to collect your expired gases. The mask will not restrict breathing and will provide you with air in the environment. It is very important to remain as relaxed as possible to get the most accurate results. The test will take 15-20 minutes. The spirometry test is also performed sitting straight up in a comfortable chair with your feet flat on the floor. The testing administrator will place a clip on your nose to keep both nostrils closed. You will be asked to create a tight seal with your lips around the plastic filter. You will be instructed to take a deep breath in and forcefully blow all of the air out of your lungs. You will repeat this same process 3 times. If you currently take a bronchodilator then the testing administrator will have you take your bronchodilator then repeat the test to measure the effectiveness of the medication. The spirometry test will take 7-10 minutes.

For the Exercise Test, a 12-lead EKG, blood pressure cuff, and pulse oximeter are connected. Then a comfortable mask is placed over the mouth and nose to collect expired gases and obtain information regarding respiratory rate. The test will begin with a warm-up on the stationary bike. Once the warm-up is complete, there will be a stage of collecting preliminary data before the intensity gradually begins to increase. During this time the rate at which your body consumes oxygen, gives off
carbon dioxide, blood pressure, pulse ox, heart rhythms, and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) are monitored. The level of oxygen consumed will increase as the exercise intensity increases. The test will end when you can no longer continue to exercise or when the testing administrator has collected all the measurements necessary. The test will also be terminated if any ill effects occur during exercise.
After the testing is complete there will be a two-minute cool-down period to assess how quickly the cardiovascular system recovers. The total time for the exercise component will be 8-12 minutes. At the end of the tests, your results will be reviewed and an exercise Rx will be provided and explained. Your results will also be reviewed by our Registered Dietitian who will provide you with a nutrition Rx in conjunction with the exercise Rx you received.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF TESTING?

1. Understanding how your body utilizes fat and carbohydrates
2. Identifying your personalized optimal fat burning zone
3. Addressing weight loss, gain, or maintenance
4. Exercise & Nutrition Prescriptions created for your unique physiology
5. Identifying Resting Metabolic Rate (the amount of calories needed daily for survival)
6. Evaluating the health of your lungs and respiratory system
7. Understanding how to utilize breathing techniques to reduce stress and anxiety
8. Implementing strategies to improve overall health and well being

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE EXERCISE AND NUTRITION PRESCRIPTION?

Increased weight loss
Improved weight management
Improved fasting insulin levels
Improved concentration and focus
Decreased body fat
Increased fasting blood sugar levels
Improved HbA1c levels
Reduced hunger & food cravings
Improved sleep & recovery
Increased sustainable energy
Improved blood lipid profile
Improved sleep
Increased energy levels
Improved quality of life

For more information about Metobolic Testing, please call:
313-290-2250
The Institute of Neuromuscular Medicine