What is Physiological Testing?
Physiological testing provides us, you, and your coach the data needed to make informed decisions regarding your training and nutrition programs in order to guide you to success.
Unlike field tests like time trials and FTPs that only tell us the output (watts, HR, etc), physiological testing tells us what is happening inside the body. Specifically, what is driving that output and where possible limitations to your training may be. Our professionals use state-of-the-art equipment and protocols to ensure that we are able to understand what your body needs to succeed.We offer both VO2 max and lactate threshold testing. Want to learn more about the basics of exercise science? See our short introductions at the bottom of this web page!
VO2 Max & Economy Testing
VO2 stands for oxygen consumption and is a picture of your metabolism. As we know, the body needs oxygen to create energy for training and racing. Therefore, the better your body is at delivering oxygen and using it, the more fit you are and the more power and speed you are able to generate and sustain. Your VO2 max is an indicator of your fitness and economy refers to how efficiently you use energy at your race pace. What you’ll learn from a VO2 test:
- Your VO2 Max score (how fit you are)
- Your maximal or near maximal heart rate
- Training zones customized to your unique physiology (HR, Power, Pace)
- How much fat and carb you burn at different intensities
- How many calories you burn per minute/hour at different intensities
- Insight into physiological limitations
- How to adapt training and nutrition (macro) in order to meet your goals
Lactate Threshold Testing
A byproduct of energy production during exercise and a secondary source of energy, blood Lactate (aka lactic acid) production increases as our body shift to burning more carbohydrates at faster rates. The term “threshold” refers to the intensity at which your body shifts from sustainable energy production (supply meeting demands) to a point at which energy production and turnover is failing to keep up with demand and intensity and effort is no longer sustainable. What you learn from this test:
- Training zones customized to your body’s unique physiology (HR, Power, Pace)
- Insight into physiological limitations
- How to adapt training and nutrition (macro) in order to meet your goals
Packages* –
*can be purchased for running or cycling
The Complete Picture: VO2max & Lactate Threshold – $350
Metabolic & VO2 Max Testing: including substrate oxidation and training zones- $300
Lactate Threshold Testing: including training zones for Power & HR – $175
Contact us today to schedule your appointment!
By phone – 303-771-3329 … By e-mail – kathy@thefastlab.com
Understanding the Basic Physiology of VO2Max Testing
Understanding Why You Must Train Smarter
- Burn fat in higher volumes
- Burn fat at higher intensities
- Burn CHO more efficiently
- Strengthen the muscle and neurological drive to the heart that will in turn allow you to deliver oxygen and glucose (CHO) faster and more efficiently to the needed muscles
- Strengthen the muscles of the lungs (better oxygen intake and CO2 expiration)
- Improve the ability of the body to absorb oxygen from the lungs
- Improving the mechanical and neurological drive to the muscles which will improve efficiency
- Improve blood supply & oxygen delivery
*not an all inclusive list
However, your body will not adapt to everything at the same time and not all training stress is created equal.
The Rule of Specificity states that the body will adapt to the demands of training in kind, or with a specific adaptation to meet the specific demand. For example, if at 110% of your threshold, you burn 90% sugar, and you spend most of your training time at or above 110% of your threshold, your body is going to get really good at training at that intensity. Which means that your body is going to adapt in favor of burning more sugars and clearing blood lactate, because that’s what your body needs to do so that it’s no longer stressful running at that intensity. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing if that is what you need for your goals. But the Rule of Specificity also states that we can’t effectively adapt two different and opposing physiological systems at the same time. So while you may get better at burning sugar (CHO), you may get worse at burning fat. Which is a problem if you’re an endurance athlete.
So why testing? Physiological testing is one way of safeguarding against taking your training in the wrong direction and ensuring you adapt to your training in a way that supports and enhances your desired performance. We’ve seen many athletes struggle to make the improvements that they are looking for, and with testing we are better able to determine why that is happening and help the athlete and coach adjust their training to get the desired results.