From VO2max 5 minute test to VO2max value

Xavier Theunissen

Hi Everyone, 

I am new here, so forgive me if I ask a question that already has been answered somewhere. I couldn't find it though. How do I go from the 5 minutes VO2max test to my VO2max value in mL/(kg x min)? I just did a 398 Watts test in 5 minutes, and a 288 FTP test based on the 20 minutes test. But when I look at formulas available on the internet, they are based on the FTP values, not the 5 minute value. So, can anyone help me out with this? 

These are the formulas I found:

Relative VO2Max = [(10.8 x W)/M] + 7

where:         

W = watts

M = cyclist weight in kg

VO2Max = mL/(kg x min) (ACSM, 2010)

Al Truscott

As you know, VO2 max is technically the amount of oxygen uptake/use by the body during maximal exercise. The definition of maximal exercise is subjective. I think the gold standard for this is obtained when running on a treadmill or cycling on a trainer, with a face mask to precisely measure oxygen intake, and blood draws to determine the aterio-venous oxygen difference. Anything else is an estimate. E.G., Garmin watches often provide a "VO2Max" number based on your recent history of workouts, using time, pace, power, heart rate, etc.

The question I have is, other than curiosity, why do you want to know this? While training can improve it, it's not often used as a primary metric to set training loads, or determine race day pacing strategies. FTP and VDOT are simpler, and more direct ways to do that, IMO.

Shaughn Simmons

My understanding as Al says (and based on readings over many years) is that you can improve your ability to process more oxygen/blood but only minimally.  Basically you are born with the capacity you have in terms of the size and ability of your heart and lungs to process and move the oxygen and blood throughout your system at various workout loads....

You can do unnatural things like, increasing the number of red blood cells in your system (EPO/doping) which improves performance.

You can also do a number of natural things like changing your body comp, improving your race specific skills, conditioning your body's metabolism for the duration of your event, conditioning your muscle base (Fast/twitch vs. slow/twitch) for the right mix based on your event, Olympic distance vs. IM distance, etc....

And many other things....all of which can improve both your FTP, your watts/kilogram ratio and make you faster over time but not significantly improve your V02 capacity.  It may be for these reasons, again as Al mentions, the industry uses FTP and vDOT vs. V02 as primary measures for performance changes.....

SS