Bruce protocol VO2 max treadmill test

Triathlon Forum
1

I did a Bruce protocol VO2 max test two days ago. I’m just an amateur athlete. I don’t think I reached a maximal effort during the test. My VO2 scores seem low. A Bruce test calculator (http://www.exrx.net/...ators/Treadmill.html) estimates a much higher VO2max than what I achieved in the test. The machine that was used does an average of every three breaths. The EKG wasn’t working so a polar HR strap was used. HR and RPE were taken every minute. I am posting the results for analysis.

Here is a link to my test results. https://spreadsheets.google.com/...amp;authkey=CLX83p4G

Here is a link to the reference material. https://docs.google.com/...amp;authkey=CO_84NMM

Right now the results just look like a mess of numbers. I hope someone on slowtwitch has some knowledge on this type of test and will provide some input.

What and physiological variables determine/limit VO2max?

What is the difference between maximal and peak oxygen consumption? Do you think either occurred during my test?

Based on examining this data what is my VO2max?

How useful is it to know things like your VO2 max, max HR, FTP, and Lactate Threshold? How can knowing these things be used to improve training?

2

Forget about all that shit, how long did you last, that is what really matters. My best ever when i was in top shape was 22+ minutes. Last year after getting my 2nd pacemaker, i did 20+ minutes. They always want to get me off a lot sooner, but i tell them ahead of time i will go until i blow, and they can just catch me off the back!!

It is a tough protocal as once you hit about 18 minutes, the pace and altitude go up quite a bit every minute i believe…

3

Fortunately for you V02 max is a terrible predictor of performance. If you look at ‘top’ athletes across any endurance sport, there’s a huge range.

Highlights of a study showing this exact point:

RUNNING PREDICTS RUNNING BETTER THAN PHYSIOLOGY

Noakes, T. D., Myburgh, K. H., & Schall, R. (1990). Peak treadmill running velocity during VO2max test predicts running performance. Journal of Sports Sciences, 8, 35-45.

Marathon runners (N = 20) and ultra-marathoners (N = 23) were tested for VO2max, peak treadmill running velocity, velocity at lactate turnpoint, and VO2 at 16 km/h using an incremental (1 min) treadmill test.

Results. Race times at 10, 21.1, and 42.2 km of the specialist marathoners were faster than those of the ultra-marathoners, however, only the 10 km time differed significantly. Lactate turnpoint occurred at 77.4% of VO2max and at 74.7% of peak treadmill velocity. The average VO2 at 16 km/h was 51.2 ml/kg/min which represented 78.5% of VO2max.

For all distances, performance time in other races was the best predictor of performance (r = .95 to .98).

The best laboratory predictors were: (a) peak treadmill running velocity (r = -.89 to -.94); (b) running velocity at lactate turnpoint (r = -.91 to -.93); and (c) fractional use of VO2max at 16 km/h (r = .86 to .90). The predictive value of the lactate turnpoint measure increased as the distance increased.

The poorest predictors were: VO2max (r = -.55 to -.81) and VO2 at 16 km/h (r = .40 to .45).

Conclusion. There may be no unique physiological characteristics that distinguish elite long-distance (10 km or longer) runners as is often promoted. Other factors determine success in high level sports among exclusive groups of superior athletes.

Implication. Running performance is the best predictor of running capability in elite long-distance runners. Physiological laboratory testing gives less information than does actual performance. Even the fastest speed of running on the treadmill is a better predictor than any physiological measure. This suggests that for at least endurance-dominated sports, actual performances in a variety of performance-specific situations will give more useful information than that which can be obtained in any physiology laboratory test.

Here’s a list I borrowed from letsrun:

92.5 Greg LeMond, professional cyclist
92.0 Matt Carpenter, Pikes Peak marathon course record holder
88.0 Miguel Indurain, professional cyclist
87.4 Marius Bakken, Norwegian 5k record holder
85 Dave Bedford, 10k world record
84.4 Steve Prefontaine,US runner
84.3 “Physiologist in training,” 15:12/30:55 runner
82.7 Gary Tuttle, US runner
82.0 Kip Keino, Olympic 1500 champion
81.1 Craig Virgin, twice World cross country champ
81.0 Jim Ryun, US miler WR holder
80.1 Steve Scott, US miler 3:47
79.4 “Runningart2004,” 15:43 5k runner
78.5 Bill Rodgers, 2:09:27 marathoner
77.4 Don Kardong, 2:11:15 marathoner
76.6 John Landy, WR miler
76.0 Alberto Salazar, 2:08:51 marathoner
74.3 Amby Burfoot, US marathoner
74.4 Johnny Halberstadt, 2:11:44 marathoner
74.2 Kenny Moore, US marathoner 2:11:36
73.5 Grete Waitz, Norwegian Marathon runner
73.0 Jeff Galloway, US snake oil salesman
73.0 Buddy Edelen, marathoner
72.8 Jarmila Krotochvilova,Czech Olympian 400M/800M winner
72.3 Peter Snell, Olympic champion
72.0 Zithulele Sinqe, 2:08:05 marathoner
71.3 Frank Shorter, US Olympic Marathon winner
71.2 Ingrid Kristiansen, ex-Marathon World Record Holder
71.0 Paula Ivan, Russian Olympic 1500M Record Holder
70.3 Willie Mtolo, 2:08:15 marathoner
69.7 Derek Clayton, Australian ex-Marathon World Record holder 2:08:35
67.2 Rosa Mota, Marathon runner

4

I used to do those tests at work. There are ways to “cheat” and get a longer time. My advice is to absolutely walk as long as you can. When you start running you are on the way out. Some people hang on the bar a lot which saves energy. My boss the Cardiologist used to brag about his 24 min effort at over 50 years old. He was a track guy with a 4:03 mile back in the day. When I did him he was the worse cheater I ever saw. He was all over the treadmill.

I am not too sure the Bruce test is the best indicator as it gets so hard so fast I am not totally convinced we see the max a person has potentially. If you trained at the steep and fast grades for a couple weeks I am guessing you would get a free min to a min and a half with just the specificity training. FWIW

5

Data looks a little strange. Why did RER never get to 1.0? Ask your testers.

6

If you are just looking for your VO2max number, a good test should last somewhere between 8-12 minutes, otherwise other factors besides maximal oxygen capacity will begin to affect the results. If you go longer than 15 minutes, you need to use a different protocol that will start you out faster, so you will fatigue sooner. Try Daniels’ protocol for runners. Also, your RER never rose above 0.90 – a good “max” test will usually have an RER of 1.00 or greater.

Ciao,
Sharon

7

Your links are backwards (background info vs your results).

I know nothing about the specifics of the test protocol. I am sure they can estimate your VO2 max quite effectively given the information they have. But I will speculate that it wasn’t measured directly. I say this simply because your HR was still rising which suggests you could have gone higher and therefore processed more oxygen. Why did the test stop the instant you hit 185? Does the test protocol mandate that?

I know the test very gradually ramps up, but I wonder if a proper pre-race warmup type of activity just prior to the commencement of the test might not have a big impact on measured (or estimated) VO2 max?

8

I fixed the links.

The lab asked me to come back and try some different protocols. I have a book that has several different ones in it. I’ll have to take a look at it. Thanks for the great replies they are all very informative. I stopped the test at 21 minutes because I was getting tired. I was a little fatigued before the test due to a hard ride a few hours earlier. I’d never seen my heart rate over 178 until I took the test. That is what I thought my max was. Also the treadmill surface was slippery, and at such a steep grade I didn’t want to slip. Also at 21 minutes it goes into stage 8 which is equal to 424 watts. After I felt it increase in speed and grade I quit. Now that I know what to expect I will try it again and maybe wear shoes with more grip.

The far right column in my data estimates VO2max%. I’m not sure how it is calculated but I converted all of the VO2/kg values to 100% and I got 79.07949791-79.11894273.

Does anyone have any suggestions for VO2max test protocols to try? The lab has a treadmill and a Monark erg bike. Treadmill protocols would probably work the best. I think it would be cool to test swimmers VO2max in an endless pool. The setup would be complicated but I think it would be doable. Has swimming VO2 max test ever been done before?

9

I think it would be cool to test swimmers VO2max in an endless pool. The setup would be complicated but I think it would be doable. Has swimming VO2 max test ever been done before?

Yes they do VO2 testing while swimming however I’m not sure if validation studies have been done for them to determine if the results are accurate. They have done studies that have shown VO2 at anaerobic threshold is correlated with critical velocity (calculated by average swimming speed in m/s).

If it wasn’t a true max test it was sure close to it, and with a value of 62.5 you are well in the superior category for your age cohort. For an amateur athlete in my opinion this is a great number. However don’t get hung up numbers, like it has been stated above, past race performance is the best predictor of future race performance.

Another test you can do is the 1.5 mile run test and plug the numbers in the many online calculators. It doesn’t require lab equipment. It has been found to correlate well (.88) with VO2max, however in my experience it underestimates compared to Bruce protocol slightly.

10

I think it would be cool to test swimmers VO2max in an endless pool. The setup would be complicated but I think it would be doable. Has swimming VO2 max test ever been done before?

Yes they do VO2 testing while swimming however I’m not sure if validation studies have been done for them to determine if the results are accurate.

If the test is done right of course it is accurate. I assume you mean that you don’t know if the results correlate to running or cycling VO2max.

-Physiojoe

11

Also, your RER never rose above 0.90 – a good “max” test will usually have an RER of 1.00 or greater.

Typically an rer of 1.10-1.15 is more indicative of a true maximal effort with the Bruce protocol. I maxed at 1.08 a few years back, but was a little tired. I always saw values higher than that in the individuals I tested.

With only 1.0 you should have plenty left in the tank!

-Physiojoe