Vo2 Max Testing

I just got this e-mail from the UM tri club about two studies around the area:

First study:
"If you're interested in getting your VO2 max tested for free, please
read the message below and e-mail [email protected].

Dr. McGregor of Eastern Michigan University, is doing some research
comparing collegiate runners to collegiate tri-athletes to collegiate
cyclists.

The requirements for testing are that you have to be a triathlete
under 45 years old (preferably college age) that trains at LEAST 10
hours a week right now. You will undergo a VO2 Max test on the lab
bike (which is a Velotron) and also at a separate time, get a VO2 Max
test done on the treadmill. Because we are comparing to runners, you
have to get a running VO2 Max. There is no monetary compensation but
you will know your VO2 Max for free. (A $200 test)

If you are interested, e-mail [email protected] and he will pass
your e-mail to Dr. McGregor"

i have no idea how stringent they are on requirements- but it never hurts to ask, right?

Second study- but I believe it's for obese men/women:
http://www.kines.umich.edu/research/cxr/smlstudies.html

Very cool, thanks... I'm a bit above college age .... but what the heck... I know I have the 10 or more hours per week. I'll let you know what I find out!

thanks again.

I know Fraser Cycle & Fitness does!

Assuming that you're not a 1500m runner or a pursuit cyclist why do you want to know? If you're a triathlete, it would be much more helpful to know your cycling power and running pace at both your aerobic and anaerobic thresholds, as this allows you to set appropriate training zones.

Also there is a sports specific element. Unless you have a very strong background in cycling or swimming, your running VO2max will be higher than your cycling VO2max which, in turn, will be higher than your swimming number. This will also hold true for your anaerobic and aerobic thresholds, so you'll have different training zones for each sport.

If you wanted a very close proxy for your VO2max, the best way is to do a field test i.e. do a six-minute long time trial as fast as you can in each sport and your pace/power output/heart rate is approximately your VO2max.

Stephanie Walbridge of In The Zone training is located in Augusta, Michigan (halfway between Kalamazoo and Battle Creek). She can do Anerobic Threshold testing and VO2 max testing as well as Resting Metabolic Rate testing. Check out her website at www.inthezonefitness.com. Steph is a great athlete, completing a Primal Quest 10 day adventure race in 2008. She's awesome and the testing is very insightful.