During a graded maximal exercise test on a treadmill or stationary bicycle, data including heart rate, respiratory rate, respiratory volume, and concentration of oxygen and carbon dioxide in inhaled and exhaled air is collected and analyzed. VO2 max is reached when oxygen consumption remains at a steady state despite an increase in the workload. This plateau is where an athlete transitions from aerobic metabolism to anaerobic metabolism, and muscle fatigue sets in shortly thereafter.

VO2 max scores can improve with training but are also influenced by factors including age, gender, and altitude.

• 75-minute appointment.

• Graded exercise test lasting 8-14 minutes (not including warm-up and cool-down).

• Can be completed on a treadmill or a bicycle.

• Heart rate is monitored.

• Athlete will wear a nose clip and mouthpiece to capture exhaled air.

• Oxygen uptake is measured with a metabolic cart.

• Results are available immediately after the test is completed.

• A detailed document explaining the results of your tests, in addition to methods of applications will be provided.

VO2 submaximal exercise testing is the cardiovascular fitness and aerobic endurance testing option for individuals who do not wish to undergo VO2 max testing or for whom maximal capacity testing is inappropriate. Submaximal testing follows a similar protocol as the VO2 max test utilizing the metabolic analyzer while the participant performs graded exercise without reaching a maximally exhaustive effort.

While this test will not provide a precise measurement of maximal aerobic capacity, it provides a strong estimation due to the relationship seen between changes in oxygen uptake and heart rate with increasing exercise load. Submaximal tests use heart rate response to submaximal power output to estimate VO2max.