Very low VO2 Max - what does it mean???

Look, one thing science has always had a hard time quantifying is the human heart, i.e. desire.

We talk about these numbers all the time on this board, but in the end, it's something else that makes you pedal. I guess I'm saying that you should forget the test, or consider it a challenge. If you want it, achieve it.

benkoostra said:

Look, one thing science has always had a hard time quantifying is the human heart, i.e. desire.

We talk about these numbers all the time on this board, but in the end, it's something else that makes you pedal. I guess I'm saying that you should forget the test, or consider it a challenge. If you want it, achieve it.

Thanks. I wouldn't disagree with your advice, and this result certainly won't put me off training/doing the event. I guess I'm just a little concerned by just how low the score is (much lower and according to some of the tables I've seen I'll need a heart transplant!!!).

KatieS said:

I went to see a personal trainer for an assessment last week and he recorded my VO2 max as just over 20.

First of all, did your "assessment" look like this: images.google.comimagesOpen ↗

In other words, was it a true VO2max test or was this some kind of estimation.

Piotr said:

First of all, did your "assessment" look like this: images.google.comimagesOpen ↗

In other words, was it a true VO2max test or was this some kind of estimation.

From looking at those pics I'm guessing it was an estimation! He checked my heart rate as I rode (I also had a heart rate monitor on but he was checking my rate manually as well to verify what the monitor was saying - apparently there HR monitors in the gym can be unreliable).

Would that make a big difference?

KatieS said:

From looking at those pics I'm guessing it was an estimation! He checked my heart rate as I rode (I also had a heart rate monitor on but he was checking my rate manually as well to verify what the monitor was saying - apparently there HR monitors in the gym can be unreliable).

Would that make a big difference?

You may as well ignore that number. You can't estimate VO2max with a heart rate monitor (even a reliable one). I had a suspicion it wasn't a real VO2max test and sure hope the trainer didn't charge you for one :eek:. They're usually too costly and involved for someone just visiting a personal trainer after a long layoff.

If you have a VO2 of 20ml/kg/min then I doubt you would be able to pedal a bike at all let alone ride 40 miles. The average male is around 40ml/kg/min so 20 would be a giant tub of lard who does absolutely nothing and or someone with a serious medical condition. A "True" VO2 max test involves your breathing into a mask with the air being analized by a computer; it goes to failure, complete failure. Estimated VO2's can be fairly acurate if done by a qualified tester, but obviously the real thing is the way to go.

I believe your feeling sick and your riding before the test could definately effect it, especially fever and dehydration. I would keep on your Dr about your lung problem and be sure nothing else is going on. As you loose weight your relative VO2 will go up. Generally VO2 is expressed in L/min and then bodyweight is calculated in to allow you to compare your value to others.

Here's a test you can do on your own with a treadmil...brianmac.demon.co.ukbruce.htmOpen ↗

There are many others that you can use to monitor your fitness gains.

KatieS said:

Are there factors that could affect my score on the day? Two things about that day - firstly it was the day after three 40 mile rides in a row, and secondly, that evening I had a very bad stomach upset (diarrhoea and fever). I felt like my heart rate was raised that day - would that have made a difference?

That's actually quite a bit of difference there - you sound overtrained to the point of being sick.

xxamr_corpxx said:

Hey you're winning!!!!!! Oh yeah, we need to decide on the prize.

xxamr_corpxx said:

That's actually quite a bit of difference there - you sound overtrained to the point of being sick.

I doubt that. It takes a hell of a lot more than that to be overtrained, especially since OP has already been riding these distances regularly.

I agree with the poster above saying the number should be completely ignored. If you ain't got a hose hooked up to your mouth, it's not a real or accurate test (by a long shot). In fact, I would look for a new trainer if he thinks that is a viable test. A real VO2max test is quite unpleasant (i.e. breathing from a hose with a nose clip), and they generally run about $150-$200. Until then, ride. After then, ride.

Thanks everyone - I think I feel less worried now! To be fair to the personal trainer, he was doing an overall general assessment to benchmark my progress against and wasn't selling the test as anything other then a general indication of my fitness to enable him to put together a programme. He seemed more concerned with my general biomechanical efficiency and core strength.

Anyway, sounds like I should just keep going!

Like others said that number is useless. However, I would look to get a real test if I were to test your progress. It usually comes along with a aerobic base number, and anerobic threshold number as well. These two numbers are good for indicating progress of a training program in terms of your general fitness. I have been using a similar program for the past 6 months, been tested 3 times and adjusted my heart rate zones accordingly with good results. My est VO2 max has stayed at about 50-52, however, my aerobic base went from 128 bpm to 140 bpm, and my anerobic threshold went from 148bpm to 160bpm. It was well worth the $400 USD spent. Takes a lot of the guess work out of training/fitness. I would eventually like to do such a test versus power *watts*, but will wait until next year to get a power meter. Good Luck.

jayhunter said:

Like others said that number is useless. However, I would look to get a real test if I were to test your progress. It usually comes along with a aerobic base number, and anerobic threshold number as well. These two numbers are good for indicating progress of a training program in terms of your general fitness. I have been using a similar program for the past 6 months, been tested 3 times and adjusted my heart rate zones accordingly with good results. My est VO2 max has stayed at about 50-52, however, my aerobic base went from 128 bpm to 140 bpm, and my anerobic threshold went from 148bpm to 160bpm. It was well worth the $400 USD spent. Takes a lot of the guess work out of training/fitness. I would eventually like to do such a test versus power *watts*, but will wait until next year to get a power meter. Good Luck.

US$400 (plus presumably the cost of your HRM) - gee I'd be thinking about getting a power meter instead if you are investing that much, which sounds like where you are heading. Much better use of your dollars.

Alex Simmons said:

US$400 (plus presumably the cost of your HRM) - gee I'd be thinking about getting a power meter instead if you are investing that much, which sounds like where you are heading. Much better use of your dollars.

You are talking 3 tests with full analyzing equipment (computer/mask/the works), plus the time it took him to put together a program for me to follow. Also he supplied the heartrate monitor. Considering that my wife pays 1200 for 20 personal training sessions at our gym, I think that is more than fair. That is the going rate for any type of training around here (NY/NJ area) and in-line with any other metabolic analysis I have EVER scene advertised. So not quite sure where you are getting your info from, but probably the wrong place. In any event I will purchase a power meter this winter. I am expecting it to cost me $3400 with carbon cranks/computer, etc. Not that it makes a difference, but that is about 23 subsequent metoblic analysis sessions, at about once every 2 months, I can use those funds to pay for test for over three years. This would be overkill, but I am hard pressed to find a new power meter for $400.

Like I said, my fitness level has improved dramatically. I know exactly what heart rate zones to work in to improve further, and I am waisting NO TIME while training. For $400 that seems well worth the money.

jayhunter said:

You are talking 3 tests with full analyzing equipment (computer/mask/the works), plus the time it took him to put together a program for me to follow. Also he supplied the heartrate monitor. Considering that my wife pays 1200 for 20 personal training sessions at our gym, I think that is more than fair. That is the going rate for any type of training around here (NY/NJ area) and in-line with any other metabolic analysis I have EVER scene advertised. So not quite sure where you are getting your info from, but probably the wrong place. In any event I will purchase a power meter this winter. I am expecting it to cost me $3400 with carbon cranks/computer, etc. Not that it makes a difference, but that is about 23 subsequent metoblic analysis sessions, at about once every 2 months, I can use those funds to pay for test for over three years. This would be overkill, but I am hard pressed to find a new power meter for $400.

Like I said, my fitness level has improved dramatically. I know exactly what heart rate zones to work in to improve further, and I am waisting NO TIME while training. For $400 that seems well worth the money.

Sorry, are you saying you get 4 VO2max tests for US$400 (total) or each test for US$400? FWIW, we do a max test, lactate, power output, lung function, skinfold measure, bloods, and a couple hours consult for the equivalent of about ~US$300.

ric_stern/RST said:

Sorry, are you saying you get 4 VO2max tests for US$400 (total) or each test for US$400? FWIW, we do a max test, lactate, power output, lung function, skinfold measure, bloods, and a couple hours consult for the equivalent of about ~US$300.

3 tests were 400 total

jayhunter said:

You are talking 3 tests with full analyzing equipment (computer/mask/the works), plus the time it took him to put together a program for me to follow. Also he supplied the heartrate monitor. Considering that my wife pays 1200 for 20 personal training sessions at our gym, I think that is more than fair. That is the going rate for any type of training around here (NY/NJ area) and in-line with any other metabolic analysis I have EVER scene advertised. So not quite sure where you are getting your info from, but probably the wrong place. In any event I will purchase a power meter this winter. I am expecting it to cost me $3400 with carbon cranks/computer, etc. Not that it makes a difference, but that is about 23 subsequent metoblic analysis sessions, at about once every 2 months, I can use those funds to pay for test for over three years. This would be overkill, but I am hard pressed to find a new power meter for $400.

Like I said, my fitness level has improved dramatically. I know exactly what heart rate zones to work in to improve further, and I am waisting NO TIME while training. For $400 that seems well worth the money.

I was under the impression it was only one test, so that's not so bad.

So you're going the PM route, that's great. Over time you will see the huge value in using power, especially given you already appreciate analytical methods.

I didn't suggest $400 for a PM, only that I still think the investment would be better directed towards a PM, which will be a more valuable training guide than the non-power testing you are doing (or did the test include power output data as well)?

With a power meter you can do your own testing, any day you wish and for no charge.

Best of luck with the training and racing.