I’m thinking about getting a vo2 max done, but worried about the results.
What are some good vo2 max numbers for cycling instead of running for the test (since there is a difference in running and cycling for testing vo2 max speaking).
I know, i know… lance was in the upper 70’s to 80… he is not normal… but what is good for us multi sport guys?
Anything <3.5 mL/min/kg.
you might want to give some more demographic information about yourself… age, sex? I would also get tested in the discipline you are stronger at (cycling/running) as your cycling VO2 will generally be lower.
The reason I ask about age/sex is women will have lower scores, and older individuals will also have lower scores… generally
Why are you worried about your VO2max results?
Do you plan on getting tested throughout your season?
What will you do with this information and how will it help you?
I’d say that if the test was free then what the heck - go for it. If your paying for the test then hopefully it will be usefull to you in some way.
As for a good VO2max # - well, for that number (in and of itself) I guess the best answer is that there isn’t a “Good” VO2max number.
This one is not so simple. At the IM distance, an athlete can do well with an OK VO2 max if endurance and race execution are really solid. At shorter distances (i.e., Olympic), superior aerobic capacity would be helpful.
Elite guys would be in the 70s, maybe upper 60s on the run. Top tier pros would be a bit higher. As you mentioned, you would probably expect to see a slightly lower number on the bike than the run. If you can manage something in the 60s on the bike, I would say that is a pretty solid number. However, you could still do pretty well with a number in the upper 50s.
Understand though, that I am talking about a relative VO2 max number. In this case it is ml/kg/min. So, if you lose weight, the number goes up.
The more important data point for the bike though is your functional threshold power (FTP). That will tell you more about what you are capable of (although not necessarily much about your ultimate potential). You know, if you got a powermeter and tested FTP occasionally, you would have much better information about your bike fitness and capability than you could get from a single or even periodic VO2 max test.
Mike
Anything <3.5 mL/min/kg.
Ha, I get it now. That’s good…
Mike
what are you going to use the results for?
As a triathlete, I would use a vo2 max test as a means of determining anaerobic threshold.
having a VO2 number alone doesn’t serve much purpose.
as for numbers…higher is better…but higher doesn’t mean you’re necessarily going to be faster…there are too many other factors involved.
it’s like % bodyfat (or penis size) it’s a number, some people like to brag about it, it doesn’t mean much if not used with a purpose.
Good or bad, here is the population distribution of VO2 by age and gender:
For Males:
Percentile 20 - 29 30 - 39 40 - 49
90 51.4 50.4 48.2
80 48.2 46.8 44.1
70 46.8 44.6 41.8
60 44.2 42.4 39.9
50 42.5 41.0 38.1
40 41.0 38.9 36.7
A Historical Note:
** Facts and Figures:**
Steve Prefontaine US runner ** 84.4** Frank Shorter US Olympic Marathon winner ** 71.3** Grete Waitz Norwegian Marathon/10K runner ** 73.5** Ingrid Kristiansen ex-Marathon World Record Holder ** 71.2** Derek Clayton Australian ex-Marathon World Record holder ** 69.7** Rosa Mota Marathon runner ** 67.2** Jeff Galloway US Runner ** 73** Paula Ivan Russian Olympic 1500M Record Holder ** 71** Jarmila Krotochvilova Czech Olympian 400M/800M winner ** 72.8** Greg LeMond professional cyclist ** 92.5** Matt Carpenter Pikes Peak marathon course record holder ** 92** Miguel Indurain professional cyclist ** 88** ** Lance Armstrong** ** professional cyclist** ** 83.8**
As you can see there’s a very wide range of VO2max’s and various levels of acheivments. Just providing number 
If you do get your VO2max done, I would definitely ask if they can get your AT (Anerobic Threshold) with the instruments they use via the V-slope method described by Beaver et al. This is not a fool proof method of detecting your AT since not everyone has a deflection of VO2 and VCO2 when AT is acheived. You should also definitely record your HR concurrently so that you can match your HR at AT so that you can make your own personalized heart rate zones. If you have power, you can also capture your Power at AT.
Rather than paying for the VO2, I would consider participating in an exercise study at your local university. Good luck.
i’m 36, two years ago i had a test (running) done for medical reasons…i came out at 62. the doc told me 60 was a threshold for “elite” status. he had no idea i was a BOP athlete (still am). the test did help me establish my HR at threshold to set up my training zones, tho.
With a 62 you should be able to do better than BOP. That is pretty solid.
Mike
So can we say tha VO2max is a limiter only if it is low, and the once it is not, then other factors mean it is not the primary limiter on performance?
Your velocity at vo2max is really more important to your training than the actual number.
jaretj
It depends on why it is low. Remember, it is a ratio of oxygen used per minute, per kilogram of bodyweight (relative VO2 max anyway). If you lose weight, the number goes up. If you are 50lbs over weight, your VO2 max has LOTS of room for improvment. Consider a 300lb man with a VO2 max of 30 ml/kg/min. The guy drops 150 lbs, and now his VO2 max is 60 ml/kg/min, simply from the weight loss alone. Training can add some more to that. This is an extreme example to be sure but it makes the point easier to illustrate.
Mike
paulo?
training time is not quite what i’d like
i’m perpetually “starting over”
but, that said, I’m not out to break records, just compete against my own clock
.
ok test somewhat completed:
the VO2 was part of a much larger test being conducted;
Age: 19
Sex: Male
Height: 6ft
Weight: 164
Year in Triathlon: 1st Year
Fastest 5K time: 18:02
Fastest 200yard swim: 2:12 (with only one flip turn)
VO2 Max on bike = 61
( i was sick a week ago, i trained light the day prior to the test, 2 hour bike just nice and easy)
.
Nice Job!
It looks like you’ve been training specifically for triathlons for one year. Generally, people will not reach their VO2max potential until 2 years of consistant training.
Hopefully you got AT and other information.
Good luck with training.
Am I reading that correctly, that a male in his 40’s with a VO2 Max of > 48.2 is higher than 90% of his 40ish peers?
Sounds about right to me. I am 40, and as I look around at my peers, it would be hard to find any that can manage even a 3 mile run at any pace. The average 40 year old is very unfit.
Mike
That is a very solid bike VO2 max. Out of curiosity, what was your power output at your VO2 max? I think you can go faster than 18:00 for a 5K. Your run VO2 max is likely in the upper 60s at least. So you have the basic physiology to go fast…what are you going to do with it?
Mike