Has anyone ever had VO2 Max, Lactate Threshold and Power testing done or basically a complete physiological testing? Any tips? Was this information useful? Thanks!
KK
Yes, done them all quite a few times. Is it useful? Only if you or your coach know’s what to do with the information otherwise it’s just painful. Well actually just the VO2 is painful, LT testing is fairly easy. Tips, don’t pay for it, at least not right away, check local university’s sports labs to see if they need test subjects. Be prepared to be shirtless for the VO2, you’ll be working hard, If you don’t like having your finger pricked you won’t be a good candidate for LT testing. Other than that pretty straight forward.
Yes, done them all quite a few times. Is it useful? Only if you or your coach know’s what to do with the information otherwise it’s just painful. Well actually just the VO2 is painful, LT testing is fairly easy. Tips, don’t pay for it, at least not right away, check local university’s sports labs to see if they need test subjects. Be prepared to be shirtless for the VO2, you’ll be working hard, If you don’t like having your finger pricked you won’t be a good candidate for LT testing. Other than that pretty straight forward.
+1. Actually, never pay for it.
FTP testing as useful as LT testing. As for VO2max, say you get a VO2max of 70mL/kg/min but your FTP doesn’t break 4.0w/kg. Should you despair? Similarly, if you get a VO2max of 62mL/kg/min, should you get out of the sport?
Now, you could find out about your respiratory exchange ratio, and determine from it, how well trained your aerobic system is. You could also obtain info regarding your metabolic efficiency, but neither really provides you with more than what a powermeter would provide you.
Has anyone ever had VO2 Max, Lactate Threshold and Power testing done or basically a complete physiological testing? Any tips? Was this information useful? Thanks!
KK
I’ve done Vo2 max and Lactate testing.
Vo2: the first time you do it, you will likely get an unsatisfactory result. This is simply due to the fact that you are unused to breathing through the tube at threshold. It takes a few tries before you will eventually get an accurate result of your Vo2 max. It took me 3 tries before I started seeing a normal value.
Lactate: Very straight forward, the pricking can be a bit annoying. The first prick is the worst as you will be focusing on it, after that you will be so absorbed in the effort that the prick is unnoticed.
Worth it? The Vo2 max test is cool as it “can” potentially show your genetic potential as an endurance athlete. The number you get from it won’t really assist you in your training, but it is still a good thing to know. The lactate test is very much worth it. The lactate test will pinpoint your power zones and your lactic acid curve. It can also highlight many weaknesses in your training. I hate the testing, but the results are worth it.
I think most of us probably need psychological testing more than physiological testing 
.
Kat-
We use testing data, both lab based and field based, for training all our athletes. If you had to a choose a single test, I would recommend threshold testing. VO2, on its own, provides limited information but is beneficial when viewed with the Threshold / submaximal information.
As always, the quality of the test and tester are very important so seek a reputable lab. If you let me know the area you are in or labs you’re looking at I may be able to help guide you. Additionally the information is only useful if you know how to use it. Be sure that you do not leave the facility without a significant consultation.
Goodluck and have fun!
The scientists will be able to tell you if its a true VO2max or what is called “peak VO2” (your highest O2 consumption for that effort). Again, a first-timer probably won’t reach VO2max as breathing through a tube with a silicone mouthpiece in your gums is different.