Scott B -- Vo2 Testing?

scottinmd

Quick question. I have my numbers and results from my vo2 test done just this last saturday. could these numbers be used in place of the numbers you will get from the tests needed over the weekend?

Id really like to know i spent money on this vo2 test for a reason.

Coach Rich

Posted By Scott Boyce on 14 May 2014 05:16 PM

Quick question. I have my numbers and results from my vo2 test done just this last saturday. could these numbers be used in place of the numbers you will get from the tests needed over the weekend?

Id really like to know i spent money on this vo2 test for a reason.

That depends:

• What method / venue did this test use?
• Bike and/or run?
• What data did you extract from it / were you given at the end of the test? 

scottinmd

It was a run test, 15 minute on treadmill, I got aerobic threshold & anaerobic threshold zones connected to hr by vo2 results at those hr numbers. rer numbers measured across the whole test, with an explanation of what these numbers mean to carb versus fat burn. Calorie burned at specific hr numbers. I have graphs of vo2 vco2 crossover with hr.

scottinmd

I have several pages of test results from the test. Didnt know if it was something that you guys could look at. If at all possible

Coach Rich

Hey Scott,

Patrick and I both experimented with the Vo2 testing gig back in the day, before we started EN. Here's the deal:

• Test results  -- their accuracy, usefulness, etc -- can be widely variable as a function of what equipment was used, the tester, the test protocol, venue, etc. In other words, you could go to three different testing facilities, or the same facility with 3 different testers, and likely get 3 different results. 
• Then, it's anyone's guess as to what you'll get in the way of useful training advice from that test. In other words, "here's a stack of paper with fancy graphs telling you what the results of your test are." But nothing in this stack really tells you what you're going to do with it, how you're going to actually apply it to your training and racing. 
• And so if from that test you had been given objective power and pace numbers -- ie, at X watts/pace, Y is going on -- that would be something we could use. 

For these reasons, the methods we use are field tests -- can be done anywhere, anytime, by anyone, and you don't have to pay a facility. You'll see these tests scheduled in the final days of your trial training plan. For these we extract HR training zones, as well as power and pace if you have those tools for your bike and run. 

I'm going to change the title of your thread and move it to the Power and Pace forum, where more will see it, share their experiences with you, and the Team learns. 

scottinmd

Only problem with that thought process is that hr is dependant on more variables day to day than that test in a controlled environment. That being said. Results from running on a mill in 68 degree low humidity. Are definitely going to be different than outside on the road in 80 degrees and 50% humidity. My test for you will give a baseline on that particular day I those conditions after that much rest. That's why this sport is so fun huh

Coach Rich

Posted By Scott Boyce on 15 May 2014 10:43 AM


Only problem with that thought process is that hr is dependant on more variables day to day than that test in a controlled environment. That being said. Results from running on a mill in 68 degree low humidity. Are definitely going to be different than outside on the road in 80 degrees and 50% humidity. My test for you will give a baseline on that particular day I those conditions after that much rest. That's why this sport is so fun huh

To which I would counter that how often will be you be training in that controlled environment in which you did your lab test . And therefore how useful outdoors in the real world are the metrics you were given from a test in that controlled environment. And how much was the test, how often do you need to retest, and is there a "good enough" proven solution that saves you $$$$ per year on testing. 

Which is why we encourage our athletes to also test and train with power ($$$, we know) and pace (much more affordable) if possible. That way you have two metrics, objective (power and pace) and subjective (HR) with you at all times, giving you a more complete picture of what's going on.

In short, performance testing was kinda big, or there was an attempt in the market place to steer athletes towards it as a service add-on, in about '05-08, I'd say. But since then, the increasing affordability and options of on the bike / on the road power and pace measuring tools flattened that process (?).

Regardless, you're looking at a rather large squad of long course triathletes who do quite well using simple field tests vs expensive lab tests.