OK, so I have looked at the data from a bunch of VO2 max tests from people on this forum. In many cases, there were issues, big issues. Here is what you NEED to know.
Equipment matters. Most gyms and health clubs will be using the peice of junk $5k metabolic carts that “do not require calibration.” (which is BS). Universities, and the few coaches who have chosen to spend upwards of $40K on a good metabolic cart, do so for a reason. You need good equipment to get reasonable data. The equipment has to be recalibrated EVERY time, or the data is shoddy. Believe me, I have seen several VO2 max tests with very strange looking numbers. If the person administering the test had any idea of what they were doing, they would have recognized that in 5 seconds like I did. Bottom line, dont waste your money if they are using junk equipment with no calibration. You are better off taking a guess… Always ask what equipment they are using and how they calibrate it. Run away if they say it does not need calibration or seem puzzled by that quesiton.
Knowing what you are doing matters. Half of the value (probably more than half) of the testing is the sit down afterwards where the tester talks about the numbers and what they mean. If the person is clueless (most are), you end up with some numbers on a sheet which will mean little or nothing to you. So you get a VO2 max number, what are you going to do with it? I have seen some goofy test results that would have been recognized immediately as being wrong had the tester had any clue of what they were doing. If a person has a PR of 28 minutes on a 5K and registers a VO2 max of 81 ml/kg/min, something is wrong (actual example). Doesn’t take much book learnin to know that!
Doing a VO2 max test is not necessary to set up training zones. You can do a perfeclty acceptable job by using a tool like Daniel’s running formula (Google it). Plus, it is free and easy to use if you are not stupid and can follow a few directions. Are you going to shell out the $ to have your VO2 max retested periodically throughout the season to adjust your training zones? You can retest for free and get perfectly acceptable data from something like Daniels formulas.
Having said all of that…if you find a good exercise physiologist, who understands endurance training and how to conduct VO2 max tests, and they are using good equipment that is well calibrated…and they are willing to spend at least an hour afterwards discussing the data at length, as well as training recommendations…and you have the money to burn, go for it. You might learn something and that is not a bad thing.
You may not “need” it to set up your zones, but it certainly pegs the zones much more effectively…at least that is my opinion…and it is cool to know where you rank against some of the studs out there that put up some ridiculous numbers
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You may not “need” it to set up your zones, but it certainly pegs the zones much more effectively…at least that is my opinion…and it is cool to know where you rank against some of the studs out there that put up some ridiculous numbers
In what way would they be pegged better than with a simple field test with a power meter?
I participated in a study at the University a few years ago for “female cyclists” and while the test was uncomfortable for various reasons beyond the crap they stuck in me or on me (which included a temperature probe up my nose and down my esophagus), I was not allowed to use my own bike. Even beyond this, and my arm being on a board to hold the arterial line, I found out my lactate threshold was exactly where I thought it was.
You may not “need” it to set up your zones, but it certainly pegs the zones much more effectively…at least that is my opinion…and it is cool to know where you rank against some of the studs out there that put up some ridiculous numbers
You cant “peg zones more accurately” because zones are just arbitrary divisions along the work rate scale with no real physiological basis.
If a person has a PR of 28 minutes on a 5K and registers a VO2 max of 81 ml/kg/min, something is wrong (actual example). Doesn’t take much book learnin to know that!
Doing a VO2 max test is not necessary to set up training zones. You can do a perfeclty acceptable job by using a tool like Daniel’s running formula (Google it). Plus, it is free and easy to use if you are not stupid and can follow a few directions. Are you going to shell out the $ to have your VO2 max retested periodically throughout the season to adjust your training zones? You can retest for free and get perfectly acceptable data from something like Daniels formulas.
And on a bike, you can do better job still if you have a calibrated power meter.
Great stuff mike. I agree with the OPs that using a well-calibrated Powermeter to test your functional fitness…then be able to review that in relation to your daily/weekly data and make adjustments, plan race pace, etc, is waaaaaay better than knowing your “tested” VO2. In most cases a $250-$500 test is just taking $$$ out of your pocket you could have invested into a powermeter.
Right on Patrick…also, for the 250 bucks you would pay for the testing, you can get a Garmin Forerunner and then use it to set up your own running zones.
Nice info. It seems this wave of testing is the new triathlon marketing fluff. We have some locals going to an expo and getting it done, assembly line style. As you say, powermeter would be much better use of $$
As everyone here probably knows, I’m a big fan of field testing (in keeping with my saying that “training is testing and testing is training”). However, I’ve also done (and will be repeating) a webinar on laboratory-based testing for the USA Cycling coaching education program. Here’s my $0.02 from the 1st slide:
Why should you do it (compared to using a field test)?
Controlled environment
Submaximal testing possible
Can obtain greater insight into athlete’s strengths and weaknesses and/or effectiveness of training program
Here is my .02, Vo2 testing is fine as long as the equipment used is lab grade and the operator knows how to use it and use the data.
An even better way to identify training zones is to undergo blood lactate testing. Yes there is the convenience and expense factor associated with the testing, but the data you get can be very valuable for each athlete. Your training zones change alot especially if you are training correctly and they can really worsen if you are not training correctly. Ask any athlete who has undergone lactate testing and used the information to train correctly via a qualified coach, they improve, sometimes dramatically. I won’t coach anyone unless they get tested.
Regards, Mike
I was under the impression (could be wrong) that blood lactate testing values changed so frequently in relation to training load that it would require frequent testing, say 1x a month, to really be used as an accurate tool for determining fitness/zones, etc. IOW great for someone in Colorado Springs at the OTC, but not great for Joe Triathlete dropping $150 per month???
Good info. Of course, the “why you should do it” list assumes that you have a knowledgeable tester, using good equipment that is well calibrated. Outside of a university setting, that is rare. I am aware of only a handful of independent labs in the country that fit that description.
If you live by a university, go to the exercise physiology dept and ask if anyone is recruiting subjects for studies. If not, give them your contact information. Grad students are always in need for eager subjects for their thesis/dissertation research. Sometimes you’ll make a few bucks but the testing will be free (so that’s a benefit there).
One of my fellow grad students did a study on inspiratory muscle training and its effects on cycling parameters. Free VO2 max test and did several 20k TTs on the Racermate Velotron.