How VO2 max is measured in the lab and why everyone should get theirs tested | Olav Aleksander Bu

[@rdbm-uo5zt]

When doing this mask test for MaxVO2, be sure to use an activity you do when you work out aerobically. A student of exercise physiology told me that he occasionally encountered varsity level endurance runners who fail the uphill walking Bruce protocol used in testing the general population. During cardiac rehab, several years ago, I tried a Bruce test and I only made it to level 11: the equivalent of a 9:00 mile pace in flat surface running. At the time, I could comfortably run at a 7:00 mile pace for miles. However, after using the clinic's treadmill for a few months, I hit level 16: the equivalent of a 6:00 pace. Specificity, specificity, specificity! Not only that, but you can be bizarrely efficient. He also said that there was someone who could run a 2:20 marathon with a 52 'hp' engine (i.e., a Max VO2 of 52 ml/kg/min)! He said the most extreme case in the literature was someone (with a MaxVO2 of about 40 ml/kg/min) who only needed 34 ml of O2/kg/min to run at a 6:00 mile pace for miles. Bottom line: to find out your BEST MaxVO2, you need to do the mask test on an activity you do regularly that uses the most aerobically capable muscle mass.

[@Icarianbrother]

The Cooper 1.5 mile test and Rockport 1-Mile Fitness Walking Test can accurately estimate using VO2 max. Both tests can be done at home. It is not necessary to have VO2 max tests done at a sports clinic or hospital. "The 1-mile walk test is a valid predictor of VO(2max) and is a reliable alternative fitness test to the 1.5-mile run in U.S. Air Force males"

[@TillyFloss]

Useful thanks

[@Icarianbrother]

You're welcome! There are online VO2 max calculators for both tests. @@TillyFloss

[@HkFinn83]

It’s probably better than nothing but we’re interested in data that’s as good as possible.

[@Icarianbrother]

The study done by the air force indicated that for the 1-mile walking test, there were no significant differences between measured and predicted VO2 max.

[@HkFinn83]

@@Icarianbrother fyi military fitness tests are done on a pass/fail system. They’re not looking for precise data.

[@MichaelWellman1955]

I had mine checked last year at 68 yo. Unfortunately the age tops out at 60 so it doesn't give me an idea how I'm testing in my age group. Do you know if they are expanding the age group?

[@SteakandChains]

When it comes to fitness and endurance, what should we expect in terms of performance out of our glucose and fat use? And how can we measure if we are fueling optimally?

[@0007wala]

My VO2 max is 54, I am 52. HIIT, Zone 2 and bodyweight training 6 days a week.

[@mariogaffuri535]

Dude link the articles y talk about

[@TillyFloss]

The data that was captured originally to work out the average VO2 max per age...where was that captured?? All from men? From young people? In the USA??

[@onsenguy]

it's much easier to simply measure your resting heart rate. if you exercise regularly and feel fine physically, a resting HR in the 50's, or better, in the 40's, indicates a strong efficient heart and corresponding high VO2 max.

[@lazaros_lab]

Awesome video! Thanks

[@barbaraevans5593]

So my Fitbit estimates this and calls it "Cardio Fitness" score

[@ronlondres]

Amazing

[@andreaslynen6113]

47 and 50 years old✌️

[@NeilScheff]

Everyone? Even us eighty years old? Oh, you're only talking about "athletes." Do you think that's fair? I use the old-guy ergometer four by four challenge to estimate my Max VO2. Your website recommended it, in fact. Has that changed? You spend a great deal of time on forty and fifty years old men and women. Is our choice merely to await the sicking pounding on the door from our mortality?