Question on efficacy of metabolic testing
Testing has been offered. Not sure of its value. In the haus we do not really go by HR, but rather pace and power. On the other hand HR can be very variable depending on conditions, heat, rested state, etc. Even if tested on a treadmill for pace, or a stationary bike for pwer, it would likely not carry over to a real bike or running on a course. Thought from the WSM, Penny or others?
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As I understand it is the metabolic testing with the "New Leaf" system. Looking at the cross over from fat to carbohydrate burning, etc. I think that is how they explained it? Thanks.
The New Leaf system is, from what I have heard, a good system. I know some RDs who use it in their practice as well as a lot of gyms. It can tell you several things. The first would be resting metabolic rate - or the number of calories you would need if you were just to hang out in bed or sitting all day. You take this number, multiply it by an activity factor for non-workout activity, subtract for weight loss or add for weight gain, and add for workouts. It can also tell you the number of calories and what substrate (protein, carbs, fat) you are using at different levels of intensity. It can also measure VO2 max.
Some places use it to tell you your "fat burning zones." IMHO that is a bunch of bunk if you are trying to lose weight. It still comes down to total calories burned vs. what you burned.
As far as the crossover point - are they using the theory of "Metabolic Efficiency" as proposed by Bob Sebohar? If so, you should search the forums - this has been talked about before. Here is a link to one of the discussions.
So, I would say it depends on what you want to know for the $$ and time spent testing. If you are trying to change your body composition and are interested in tracking calories, a RMR measurement can be helpful. Here is a recent discussion on calculating metabolic rate. The other stuff, eh, not so much.
Hope this helps.
Personally, I think it's just noise. The results depend way, way too much on the equipment, the person giving the test, you running/riding indoors on a treadmill/your bike/exercise bike...then what are you going to do with the information?
I think "our" way is much simpler and practical:
I can tell you that metabolic testing is also a revenue generating add-on for coaches, gyms, etc. It's another way to monetize existing clients or hook new ones with fancy testing.
As to the lactate threshold, again interesting data point ( it was done on a treadmill) and the output was HR zones to run in. But what happens when fitness changes? Gotta keep going back I guess. I much prefer the self test method; 5K or 10K tests for running, power tests on the bike. They are easily replicated and I can come up with new power / pace zones by myself.