Fitness can be measured by the volume of oxygen you can take in while exercising at your maximum capacity. VO2max is the maximum amount of oxygen in millilitres, someone can use in one minute per kilogram of body weight. VO2Max testing is used to assess overall fitness, particularly cardiovascular fitness. In the test a subject is put on a treadmill and runs at a constant speed. At timed intervals the elevation of the treadmill is raised. The individual’s effective use of oxygen is measured by a breathing mask they wear throughout the test.
Watching this evaluation being performed was quite interesting. I watched on, as at each interval the elevation of the treadmill was raised, and thought to myself, that I could never do that. It seems to be a test way more workable for an athlete whose sport is more cardio based. As a track and field thrower I watched on and cringed.
Coming into the session I had honesty never heard of it before! I found the idea of a test able to assess the endurance of a person really impressive. I can see how having the test spit out a number to you could be beneficial for training purposes. By being tested regularly and having a number to work with, it can be easier to see if your fitness is improving and if you’re current training method is effective. Personally, as an athlete, I find it super productive (and almost necessary) to have a personal goal in mind. With a personal goal I find it easier to push myself harder and improve. There’s something to be said for competing against yourself. I feel like for athletes in a cardio based sport VO2 testing could be an awesome way to work in this principle. Having a goal VO2 number so you have something positive to work towards is a prime example.
Despite this, I honestly believe that this test is not an absolute indicator of your athletic ability. Just because you may have the highest VO2Max in your sport, doesn’t make you the best in your sport. This is so because VO2Max is a test of cardiovascular endurance and fitness, not overall fitness. A direct example that comes to mind, are people such as shot putters. Shot put is a sport based on speed and strength, not cardiovascular endurance. Therefore having a high VO2Max number could be beneficial, but not indicative of the athlete’s ability in shot put, since the VO2Max test does not test speed and strength, but endurance.
Julie's Exercise Science 