New post on VO2max testing and the benefits for endurance athletes! Here’s an excerpt.  Check it out and let me know what you think! 

Why do VO₂max or metabolic testing?

• quantify how efficient you are and how you can be more efficient
• monitor progression
• improve body composition and thus performance

Metrics of Performance Assessment (factors that can be monitored to improve performance)

• pace/power at lactate threshold
• VO₂max
• % of VO₂max at lactate threshold
• Calorie Utilization (carb/fat or RER/RQ)
• Body composition

VO₂max is essentially the amount of oxygen that your body is able to extract and use during maximal exercise.  You can improve your VO₂max to a certain point that your genetic potential allows.  In fact, an individual’s highest VO₂max can be reached after just 12 - 18 months of intense endurance training.  However, you can continue to improve your performance even if your VO₂max is the greatest it will ever be.  How?  One way is to improve your lactate threshold.

Lactate threshold is the point when lactate production outpaces lactate clearance in the body and lactate starts to accumulate rapidly in the body.  This process also marks the point at which a person goes from primarily aerobic metabolism (when the body is able to take in enough oxygen to power activity) to anaerobic metabolism (when the body is fueling your activity without oxygen).

Anaerobic metabolism can only provide energy for a short period of time so once you surpass lactate threshold, you will fatigue very quickly.  Therefore, increasing lactate threshold allows you to perform at a higher level of intensity without burning out.

—> Read More