VO2 Max

I once read in an issue of cyclesport how to do this on a hill using a very complicated formula. The column was written by Johnathan Vaughters. Maybe some of our subscribers can remember the exact issue and post the article here. I'll go through my back issues and see if I still have it.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by okierick@azalea
I am currently using a recumbent bike for exercise. Does anyone know a way to compute my VO2 Max from my time/distance/HR?

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by okierick@azalea
I am currently using a recumbent bike for exercise. Does anyone know a way to compute my VO2 Max from my time/distance/HR?

You can't calculate your VO2 max from this data in any way. If you want to know your VO2 max, then you'll need to pop down to your local exercise physiology/sport science lab and get tested.

Ric

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by oneradtec
I once read in an issue of cyclesport how to do this on a hill using a very complicated formula. The column was written by Johnathan Vaughters. Maybe some of our subscribers can remember the exact issue and post the article here. I'll go through my back issues and see if I still have it.

It's possible to calculate your power output when riding uphill, using one of several formulas. Your best option is to go to www.analyticcycling.com and use the calculators there.

If you want to calculate a ball park figure:

Power = mass (kg) x gravity (9.81) x vertical height climbed (metres) / time (secs)

That's the power needed to overcome gravity

you then need to add ~ 30 - 50 W for the other retarding forces (e.g., air drag, bearing resistance, rolling resistance, etc).

Then to get a rough idea on VO2 (not VO2 max, which by definition requires a maximal aerobic effort), you can divide the power output obtained in steps 1 to 2 by 75. As a rough idea economy in most cyclists is ~ 75 W/L.

Thus, if you were riding a hill at ~ 300 W, then your VO2 would be ~ 4 L/min. This really only applies to sustained steady state efforts, and is only a rough ball park figure.

Ric