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VO2 Max Test?

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Post  Ben Z Wed Jul 31, 2013 7:13 pm

Anyone taken a VO2 Max treadmill test before?

Do you think it was worth it?
Better to take when you are well-trained or when closer to the beginning of a training cycle?
I’ve always wanted to take one but I suppose I could probably get the same key information by doing a self-test max HR test instead, right?
You can probably tell I’m not running much this week and I have too much time on my hands Wink
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Post  Mark B Thu Aug 01, 2013 12:27 am

Ben Z wrote:You can probably tell I’m not running much this week and I have too much time on my hands Wink

I have no way of relating to what you're saying here, Ben. Wink

(IMHO, a VO2max test would be interesting and fun to know, but perhaps not as useful as knowing your actual lactate and aerobic threshold.)
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Post  John Kilpatrick Thu Aug 01, 2013 9:38 am

No help here, but I've wondered what the point of knowing that is - especially when I've looked at HR data from different athletes and they seem to vary so widely.  I read somewhere that Lance Armstrong didn't have close to the highest VO2 max, but had a very high buffering ability.  If nothing else, it would be interesting though...

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Post  mul21 Thu Aug 01, 2013 9:44 am

Honestly, I don't really see the point.  A HR max test and VO2max test are going to be relatively unrelated.  They're both valuable information to have, but you can so easily get a very close estimation of your VO2max from race times based on data tables from Jack Daniels or McMillan that it would be a waste of time and money.

I've never done one and don't plan to.  Unless you're an elite trying to squeeze out that last ounce of potential to qualify for the Olympics or set a WR, I don't think getting dialed in that closely is all that important.  Plus, as your fitness changes, it will change as well, so you'd have to be going in to do it once a month to have accurate numbers. 

Now, just doing it to see where you're at for a lark because you have time to kill and the money to spend, go for it!
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Post  Diego Thu Aug 01, 2013 11:39 am

I have done a VO2max-lactate test, but it was free. The best use of the test is in moderate to well-trained folks. In beginners, the "talk test and 1 mile max speed run" are better.

The VO2 max test should include measurement of lactate levels and body fat (There is both general VO2max  and the one calculated for lean body mass).
This is where the test can shine. You can find out your specific lactate threshold and heart rate, which can pay dividends for tempo and faster speed runs.

Most running coaches worth their salt have their runners take these tests after their aerobic conditioning period.

For athletes that breakdown with injury, underperform, or easily suffer overtraining syndrome, this information can be quite helpful in making sure that athletes work in the appropriate zones.

We spend a great deal of money pursuing this sport. Why not spend a bit extra if it may help performance?

Caveat. If the test only measures VO2max, skip it. You can use online tables to calculate various running paces(HR based) after running a 8 minute max run on the track and collecting time and heart rate after each 400 meters, and at the end of the test.
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Post  Ben Z Thu Aug 01, 2013 1:25 pm

Diego wrote:I have done a VO2max-lactate test, but it was free. The best use of the test is in moderate to well-trained folks. In beginners, the "talk test and 1 mile max speed run" are better.

The VO2 max test should include measurement of lactate levels and body fat (There is both general VO2max  and the one calculated for lean body mass).
This is where the test can shine. You can find out your specific lactate threshold and heart rate, which can pay dividends for tempo and faster speed runs.

Most running coaches worth their salt have their runners take these tests after their aerobic conditioning period.

For athletes that breakdown with injury, underperform, or easily suffer overtraining syndrome, this information can be quite helpful in making sure that athletes work in the appropriate zones.

We spend a great deal of money pursuing this sport. Why not spend a bit extra if it may help performance?

Caveat. If the test only measures VO2max, skip it. You can use online tables to calculate various running paces(HR based) after running a 8 minute max run on the track and collecting time and heart rate after each 400 meters, and at the end of the test.

Great info Diego. Thank you!

If I do opt for a test I'll wait a couple of months after I am a bit more built up. And I'll make sure it includes blood testing of my lactate levels - this is what you mean, correct?
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