What Is A VO2 Max Test? | Why & How To Work Out Your VO2 Max

What is and how do you improve your VO2 max? There are lots of different metrics within sport; heart rate, cadence, calories, pace, and so on but one that always turns heads is Vo2 Max! With the help of channel partner Polar, we are going find what is VO2 Max & do a VO2 Max test!

We talk about a lot of different metrics within sport; such as heart rate, cadence, calories, pace, and so on but one that always turns heads is ‘Vo2 Max’!

You’ve likely all heard of the term Vo2 Max, and with advances in technology, being able to measure your Vo2 Max has become all that more easily accessible. In fact, even a watch can apparently tell us our Vo2 Max!

But actually what is Vo2 Max, and why is it thought to be so important? Well with the help of the sports science lab at Bath Uni and our channel partner Polar, we are going to be answering just that - including one of us actually doing a Vo2 Max Test!

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[freewheels]

Finnaly sommeone does a lab test vs heart rate test, namaste very much !

[Eric-lxhp]

Before I was running garmin gave me a score of 37 which is poor. 2 years later with consistent Running now at 53 which us excellent

[joyridaz]

Per my Garmin, I increase my vo2max by taking a couple days off, and doing a tempo run in the cold.... then if I want it to go down... I just run slowly in the heat :o)

[gemmapritchard]

At last a good video showing the full test. We normally use Jonathan at the lab so this video is brilliant to show A level PE students

[genesequence]

i'm not sure what i loved more - Fraser's look during the coin toss, or the super synth soundtrack during the ramp test! also, ***67.3!!*** well done, Fraser!

[ricf]

I'm 62 years old. VO2 max currently 78.0. It's been as high as 84.0. I ride 4 Watts/kg in HR Zone 2. Just did 3 Watts/kg for twenty minutes, Av HR 101 bpm.

[Duck]

Love how sport scientists always look like they’ve never ran

[coachjohn]

Great info. I was surprised to see how accurate the watch was.

[markowens]

Mine is 61 from 49 I cycle 20 miles to work and back 4 times a week

[zyghom]

69? That is impressive.
Garmin watches (same) are also capable to provide VO2 but not in static environment but you need to run of course
Seeing VO2 max is not to compare with others but to see your progress - but of course you/we all know it ;-)

[keys]

Liked it. maybe an example for the table at the end would be nice.

[supercurioTube]

In this example, the estimated VO2 Max is not too far off the measured one.
However, wouldn't the accuracy of the estimate, based on resting heart rate and HRV be compromised by completing a max effort just earlier?

Or maybe the ramp test was short enough to not increase the subject's fatigue/stress too much.

[macca]

VO2 Max depends greatly on genetics and represents your innate ability to do constant exercise; some people really do just have good genes! But you can improve VO2max by simply losing weight.

[stephenmaxted]

The factor you have not mentioned in regard to VO2 max is age! I am 66 years old and when tested 18 months ago in a lab on a bike, I had a VO2 max of 50mL/kg/min. The average value mentioned in your video was for a much younger person. The average for my age would be somewhere around 27mL/kg/min. It also seems that VO2 max varies with sport. My cycling VO2 max is higher than my VO2 max when running!

[thomasangermeier]

Would be nice if you take more time in how to use VO2max at the end...this Table was confusing and I dont get your Message here...%VO2max equals %HR-zones??? My garmin shows 51 btw

[Yamaha_Bolt]

Excellent video, wondering why you didn’t whip off that mask as soon as your test was over. Did your HR need to return to baseline? Can you do more videos like this, some that are HR based, like time to drop by x BPM as an indicator of fitness. I ditching my Garmin for a Polar Vantage V

[LeostPlay]

Crazy that the test on the treadmill didn't reach kipchoge marathon pace. 20.5kmh failure point

[asymmetricalperfection]

What is the name of the 1st professional VO2 Max test that you did that you compared with the watch? Thank you

[scorpiontail]

Well explained video..
I recently did the chester step test and failed at a vo2max of 29
I am 55 years old and was told to stop at level 3..I felt fine and was not even starting to feel it in any way difficult.
Some people have told me to get a proper test as in this video.i know a diver who failed the step test..went and paid for a lab treadmill test and passed.
Can anyone explain in lay terms the comparison and accuracy of the 2 tests

[garvinralph]

Thanks for making VO2 Max interesting lol