VO2 Max Testing

Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) is an important determinant of your aerobic (endurance) capacity during exercise. This test is the gold standard for determining cardiorespiratory fitness.

A VO2 max test provides the following information:

VO2 Max (in ml/kg/min)

• VO2 max occurs when your oxygen consumption reaches its maximum. You can then compare your number and see how you stack up against normative data.

Heart Rate Maximum

• The “220-age” formula is commonly used to predict maximum heart rate. Though simple to use, this formula can underestimate or overestimate your heart rate maximum. Directly measuring your heart rate maximum through a VO2 max test will provide a more accurate number.

Heart Rates at the Percentages of VO2

• Knowing where your heart rate hits at specific percentages of VO2 can provide you with more specific training data that will assist your fitness professional in structuring an effective exercise program. For example, for long slow-distance runs, your trainer might suggest you target training at ~70% of your VO2 max for ~30-120 minutes. Knowing which heart rate you were at for 70% of your VO2 max will allow for a more specific training plan.

Additional Measurements

Cost
General public: $100
Tri-C employees/students: $90
Repeat testing: $85

Contact Christopher.Faciana@tri-c.edu for scheduling.