VO2 Max Testing
in Canberra
VO2 max is a key indicator of your aerobic fitness level. It represents the maximum amount of oxygen that your body can consume during exercise to produce energy. As the gold-standard fitness measurement across all sports, VO2 max is a key indicator of high performance.
At AXM Exercise Physiology, we offer VO2 max testing services to help you understand your fitness levels, optimise your training and exercise programs, compare your fitness levels to your peers, or track your performance progression over a training period. Our VO2 max tests measure your VO2 max in ml/kg/min, which is relevant to your body weight and gender.
Whether you are looking to enhance your performance or optimise your health and fitness, our VO2 max testing services can provide valuable insights into your aerobic capacity. Contact us today to schedule your VO2 max test and start your journey to a better, healthier you.
Booking information
Assessment Cost – $250; includes Oxygen analysis, Blood Lactate analysis, heart rate training zones and detailed report.
Our VO2 Max Tests are conducted at our clinic in Bruce. We take bookings online or over the phone for our VO2 max tests so if you would like to learn a bit more or make a booking give us a call on (02) 6152 9151 or click the links below.
What is Vo2 Max?
Your VO2 max is the maximum amount of oxygen your body can utilise during exercise to produce energy, this makes VO2 max testing the gold standard for assessing aerobic fitness. A higher VO2 max means that you can create more energy when you are exercising at higher intensities. This is done through increased capacity of your more efficient energy production pathways, this is known as aerobic (oxygen) muscle metabolism. Your VO2 Max is measured in ml/kg/min and is relevant to your body weight, height and gender.
Why undergo a VO2 Max Test?
There are many reasons for undergoing a VO2 max test. The test is beneficial for all fitness levels, whether you are just starting your exercise journey or a well-conditioned athlete. We use your VO2 max test results to understand your fitness levels, optimise your training and exercise program, compare your fitness levels to your peers and track performance progression over a training period. After completing a VO2 max test, we have access to key data areas that allow us to analyse and understand a range of health and performance indicators.
These are some common reasons why people undergo a VO2 max test:
- Identify VO2 max and functional threshold
- Optimise your training and exercise program to best achieve your goals
- Establish the most effective training zones based on your VO2 max and functional threshold
- Outline areas for physiological improvement
- Track training and performance progress
- Screening for potential health complications
- Help you to return to peak performance after injury or illness
What does the test involve?
The VO2 max test is a maximal exercise test conducted on an exercise bike, treadmill or rowing machine. The test starts off at a comfortable difficulty and is gradually increased until you reach your maximal effort. The duration of the test is between 10 to 30 minutes depending on your fitness levels.
A mask is worn for the duration of the test, this mask allows us to analyse your breathing and collect data about how your body uses oxygen to create energy during exercise. Blood lactate samples are taken throughout the test via a finger prick to provide further insight into how the oxygen (aerobic) and non-oxygen (anaerobic) energy pathways are working together to produce energy. We also monitor physiological measures such as heart rate throughout the test to ensure your safety and to make sure we are getting the data to best benefit you. Once you have finished the test, we analyse your test data and develop your personalised report detailing your results and recommendations.
There are four essential pieces of equipment that are used for a VO2 max test:
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- Metabolic cart – A machine that analyses your breathing while you are exercising. You wear a mask that sits over you nose and mouth to capture the gases you breathe. Upon completion of the test, the metabolic cart produces a data set that provides insight into how your body produces energy during exercise.
- Exercise bike, treadmill or rower – To achieve the most accurate results, we make the test applicable to your primary form of exercise, so if you are a cyclist we perform the test on the exercise bike and if you are a runner we will perform the test on a treadmill.
- Heart rate monitor – We monitor your heart’s response to exercise throughout the assessment to ensure your safety and to track exercise intensity. We match up your heart rate at certain events throughout the test to better understand how your body produces energy during exercise. This allows us to prescribe accurate and optimal training zones specific to your VO2 max and maximum heart rate.
- Blood lactate analyser – The blood lactate analyser is a device that measures the amount of lactate in a drop of blood taken via a finger prick. As your exercise intensity increases and your body needs to produce more energy, non-oxygen (anaerobic) pathways are required to support the oxygen (aerobic) pathways. As you utilise the non-oxygen pathways, lactate levels in your blood will rise and exercise will become unsustainable.
What’s included in your VO2 Max Test report?
After completing your VO2 Max Test you will receive a digital copy of your report. This report includes your test results, our summary and interpretation of the test, training recommendations and individualised training zones based on your VO2 max test.
The report you receive includes the following:
- VO2 peak (maximum amount of oxygen your body used during the test)
- VO2 peak compared to normative data
- Power output/speed at VO2 peak
- Identification of your functional threshold
- Your heart rate response to maximal exercise
- Details on oxygen (aerobic) efficiency
- Heart rate training zones based on VO2 peak
- High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) zones based on VO2 peak
What do i need to know before my test?
- Avoid large meals, smoking and caffeine for four hours before the assessment
- Do not engage in vigorous exercise the day of testing
What do i need to bring?
- Comfortable exercise clothes
- Drink bottle
- Towel
- Any emergency medication (e.g. ventolin)
How to book an Assessment
Our VO2 Max Tests are conducted at our clinic in Bruce. We take bookings online or via the phone for our VO2 max tests so if you would like to learn a bit more or make a booking give us a call on (02) 6152 9151 or click the book now link below.
How we can help you
NDIS exercise management
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