VO2max Testing

VO2max testing is used to determine the body's maximal oxygen utilization capacity. Endurance sports depend on oxygen delivery to and utilization by the working muscles. In short, the higher one's oxygen utilization capacity, the better their potential in endurance sport. VO2max testing is the oldest, most widely accepted method of testing for endurance potential.

VO2max testing maps the relationship between heart rate, speed (on the run) or power (on the bike), and oxygen utilization. VO2max testing serves at least two purposes:

1. Setting a benchmark fitness level, which can serve as a comparison for future VO2max performance tests.

2. Determining proper training "zones". The athlete can get a sense of which zones to train in to get the desired training effect he/she is after. A zone is simply a defined range of intensity. Zones can be expressed in terms of heart rate (ie, 145 to 155 beats per minute), power (ie, 200 to 220 Watts), and among others, speed (ie, 10 to 11 km/h).

A VO2max test at The Endurance Lab is an incremental test to voluntary failure. It is a maximal effort test, and is described by tested athletes as "a 10 or 11 out of 10"! Heart rate, power (for a bike test) or speed (for a run test), and VO2 levels are recorded. The test takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes. VO2max testing can be done on the bike and/or on the run.

Tested athletes will receive a printout of their results and undergo a post-test, in-person interpretation of the test results with the testing professional.

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Call 416.750.3888 today to schedule a VO2max Test!