VO2max testing

leftism

Got some interest off a few boardsies about doing VO2max testing so i'll fill everyone in on the protocol.

The story is i'm doing PhD research into biomechanics (specifically muscle recruitment patterns in various dynamic movements). I'll be starting the next batch of cycling tests towards the end of September. It might involve 2 or 3 visits to the lab (each visit will be like a training session on a stationary bike). As part of this study, you'll get a free full medical, and VO2max test including lactate profiling etc. Based on those test results, we do some training and monitor biomechanics via high frequency video and surface EMG (records electrical activity of the muscles). The whole study is non-invasive, i won't be asking you to swallow any blue or green pills, and you won't have any catheters put in or needles stuck in your muscles for biopsies. The most invasive thing we do is squeeze a few drops of blood from your earlobe to measure your lactate levels, and shave hairy legs... I'm looking for club-level cyclists that are training at least 4 or more times a week, preferably into racing at some level and under 40 years old (lab policy for my research). If you don't meet these criteria, you can still get the test done but it won't be free unfortunately...

Several folks were also interested in the basic incremental test we do (ie-no guinnea pig work) so i'll fill you in on that aswell. The test costs 60 euro. You can book in any time as tests are done all year, usually booking times are from 9a.m to 2p.m (so long as we have medical cover). You come in, get a full medical check up including lung function tests, blood pressure, % body fats. Doctor draws about 5ml of blood and we run full blood count to check Hct, Hgb, RBC, WBC. Once the doc gives you the ok, and your blood test comes back normal, you start the test.

The test itself is a step style incremental protocol. You do it on a magnetically loaded cycle ergometer (with your own pedals and cleats attached). You start at 120W, exercise for 3 mins before we push the load up by 40W. Every 3mins it takes another step up by 40W and it continues like this until you cannot cycle anymore. During the whole test we record VO2 and VCO2 from a gas mask strapped to your face, and heart rate from a polar monitor. Each 3 mins we squeeze a few drops of blood from your ear to measure lactate. After the test, we plot all the data on a curve and calculate your heart rate zones. Thats basically it....

From the time you enter the lab to the time you leave it takes about 2 hours.

The lab is located in the Anatomy Department in Trinity College (near the Pav) and the lab number is 01-8692012 but we don't answer phones if theres a test in progress so you'll often get no reply.

If you're still interested in that test, PM us with your name and number and i'll sort the rest out in the lab and get bookings done ASAP.

As for my research, i'll be contacting folks towards the middle of September for those interested in a free test.

Running Bing

leftism wrote: »

Got some interest off a few boardsies about doing VO2max testing so i'll fill everyone in on the protocol.

The story is i'm doing PhD research into biomechanics (specifically muscle recruitment patterns in various dynamic movements). I'll be starting the next batch of cycling tests towards the end of September. It might involve 2 or 3 visits to the lab (each visit will be like a training session on a stationary bike). As part of this study, you'll get a free full medical, and VO2max test including lactate profiling etc. Based on those test results, we do some training and monitor biomechanics via high frequency video and surface EMG (records electrical activity of the muscles). The whole study is non-invasive, i won't be asking you to swallow any blue or green pills, and you won't have any catheters put in or needles stuck in your muscles for biopsies. The most invasive thing we do is squeeze a few drops of blood from your earlobe to measure your lactate levels, and shave hairy legs... I'm looking for club-level cyclists that are training at least 4 or more times a week, preferably into racing at some level and under 40 years old (lab policy for my research). If you don't meet these criteria, you can still get the test done but it won't be free unfortunately...

Several folks were also interested in the basic incremental test we do (ie-no guinnea pig work) so i'll fill you in on that aswell. The test costs 60 euro. You can book in any time as tests are done all year, usually booking times are from 9a.m to 2p.m (so long as we have medical cover). You come in, get a full medical check up including lung function tests, blood pressure, % body fats. Doctor draws about 5ml of blood and we run full blood count to check Hct, Hgb, RBC, WBC. Once the doc gives you the ok, and your blood test comes back normal, you start the test.

The test itself is a step style incremental protocol. You do it on a magnetically loaded cycle ergometer (with your own pedals and cleats attached). You start at 120W, exercise for 3 mins before we push the load up by 40W. Every 3mins it takes another step up by 40W and it continues like this until you cannot cycle anymore. During the whole test we record VO2 and VCO2 from a gas mask strapped to your face, and heart rate from a polar monitor. Each 3 mins we squeeze a few drops of blood from your ear to measure lactate. After the test, we plot all the data on a curve and calculate your heart rate zones. Thats basically it....

From the time you enter the lab to the time you leave it takes about 2 hours.

The lab is located in the Anatomy Department in Trinity College (near the Pav) and the lab number is 01-8692012 but we don't answer phones if theres a test in progress so you'll often get no reply.

If you're still interested in that test, PM us with your name and number and i'll sort the rest out in the lab and get bookings done ASAP.

As for my research, i'll be contacting folks towards the middle of September for those interested in a free test.

Sounds great. If your ever interested in testing runners keep me in mind.:D

DualFrontDiscs

As a student in Canada I did a study that sounds a bit like yours. At that time though they needed muscle biopsies. So I'd be cut scalpel deep and sutured up before jumping on the bike. Needle was the size of a Bic pen!

Good fun all the same. Gives you a real idea of what your limits are.

If you have the chance to do such a programme, I'd recommend it. Pity about the lack of big needles

DFD.

Ryaner

DualFrontDiscs wrote: »

As a student in Canada I did a study that sounds a bit like yours. At that time though they needed muscle biopsies. So I'd be cut scalpel deep and sutured up before jumping on the bike. Needle was the size of a Bic pen!

Good fun all the same. Gives you a real idea of what your limits are.

If you have the chance to do such a programme, I'd recommend it. Pity about the lack of big needles

DFD.

Did something similar a few years back. Muscle biopsies really aren't all that fun.

DualFrontDiscs

Ryaner wrote: »

Did something similar a few years back. Muscle biopsies really aren't all that fun.

And you've the scars to prove it, I imagine. I've five scars on each thigh, two biopsies per scar.
At least when you get tired out on the bike, you can say 'At least I won't be stabbed in the leg'!

DFD.

Ryaner

DualFrontDiscs wrote: »

And you've the scars to prove it, I imagine. I've five scars on each thigh, two biopsies per scar.
At least when you get tired out on the bike, you can say 'At least I won't be stabbed in the leg'!

DFD.

Luckily I only got it done twice, once before and once after. Its bloody freaky to have something snipping inside of your leg, not feeling any pain but feeling all the sensations of it moving about. When they showed me the tools afterwards, I understood why they hold the curtain up and don't let you watch! Anything that requires an anesthetic just to give the real anesthetic raises alarm bells in my head after that one.

The blood taken from my leg while on the bike turned out to be the sorest part. Or at least when they pulled out the flexy needle bit from my leg.

Caroline_ie

One quick silly question ...

i am due in for respiratory tests at Connolly Hospital next month for sport induced asthma. Are they going to test my VO2 max ...?

StudentC

Caroline_ie wrote: »

One quick silly question ...

i am due in for respiratory tests at Connolly Hospital next month for sport induced asthma. Are they going to test my VO2 max ...?

No, very unlikely unfortunately.

Most likely you'll have...
- a spirometry test (blowing into a machine as hard as you can, repeat x2-3). the idea is to see how big your lungs are, and how healthy the airway tubes are (high flow rate = good, low flow rate = indicative of asthma or some other airway narrowing disorder).

- maybe a diffusion capacity test (again, blowing into a machine but a different manouver with a breath-hold and stuff). this one is to see how well the oxygen moves from your lungs into the blood. not usually affected in asthma, but often done as a standard test anyway.

-possibly a FRC (functional residula capacity test). This one has you breathing on the machine for a few minutes while gases are measured. Again, it isnt usually affected by asthma so unlikely to be tested.

-another test is a methacholine challenge test, where they give you a small dose of a drug which narrows the airway, and then they do the spirometry test again - if you respond to the drug and your airways narrow, your spirometry results will drop, and this confirms asthma. however, they will only do this test after having done the normal spirometry and tried different treatments, unlikely to do it immediately.

Generally respiratory function labs in hospitals don't have facilities / time / interest whatever in actually doing an exercise challenge test. Which is a pity, because it is very possible to have an exercise-induced asthma but 'normal' spirometry results when tested, because you haven't been exercising!

patspost

The test itself is a step style incremental protocol. You do it on a magnetically loaded cycle ergometer (with your own pedals and cleats attached)

Sorry to labour the point, but you have to bring your current pedals cleats and cycling shoes ?,
Just wanted to double check!
Tks

Jawgap

leftism wrote: »

...........and under 40 years old (lab policy for my research). If you don't meet these criteria, you can still get the test done but it won't be free unfortunately...

.........

Bloody ageism - I'd hobble off to the Equality Authority to complain if I could just remember where it was.......

How much to have the test done - I'm curious about my VO2max - the obsessively competitive part of my nature wants a figure to compare with people!!

Edit - just saw the price now - I'll be over once the optician replaces my bi-focals.....

MadHatter

I'm not a racing cyclist so wouldn't fall under into your "guinea pig" requirements but I might be tempted by the paid test. Any bulk discount for a series of tests? Say if I want be be tested every 2 months over the next 12 months...

No harm in asking