VO2 Max? (Read 1494 times)

I just noticed on my training log it will tell me the VO2 max for that run entry. Could someone explain this to me? How do they figure it out? It has to do with your body's ability to carry oxygen to muscles, right? Thanks from a newbie runner!

VO2max is an estimate of the maximum rate at which your body carries oxygen to your muscles. It is largely genetically predetermined, although years of consistent work can budge yours. RunningAHEAD does NOT provide a VO2max estimate, but rather it provides a VO2 estimate for the given activity. If your activity is an all out effort, such as a 5k PR attempt, then the VO2 will approach your true VO2max. But for all your activities performed at a submax effort, the VO2 will also be submax. The only way to know your true VO2max, as with your calorie burn rate, is to have metabolic testing performed.

Right. Also, the 2 should be a subtitle, not a supertitle

As trent said this is not likely your true VO2Max. The best way to know your VO2Max is via Lab testing. I actually just had this done and was very informative. Typically you can get your HRMax, Lactate Threshold, VO2max (and calculated VDot) from a session. Most universities offer this for a fee (students get to learn from the data/testing) as well as commercial places.

Pretty neat experience. I had mine done at the Center for High Altitude Training in Flagstaff by Jack Daniels himself. It was awesome just from that perspective - he knows so much but is quite humble. I paid $35 but that was discounted. Typically is anywhere from $75 - 125ish. All done on treadmill with mask on that captures expired air for measurement / analysis. Slowly inclining until you are unable to continue. Benefit is that you are then able to train at your different levels (not sure if you use Daniels) with some accuracy - recommended to be retested every 6 -12 months to gauge progress or change.