VO2 Max

Naples Longevity Clinic

Board Certified Internal Medicine located in Bonita Springs, FL

When you want to better understand your current health or improve your athletic performance, a VO2 max test is an excellent way to gather the information you need. Internal medicine specialist Tareq Khader, MD, offers VO2 max testing at Naples Longevity Clinic in Bonita Springs, Florida, along with a full suite of comprehensive health services. Find out more by calling Naples Longevity Clinic to schedule your consultation or book one online today.

239-659-3266

What is my VO2 max?

Your VO2 max is how much oxygen you can utilize during strenuous activity. Dr. Khader can test the air you exhale to determine how efficiently your body is absorbing and using oxygen.

Your VO2 max lets you know you’re pushing to your absolute limit. As your fitness increases, you can go harder and longer before your body reaches this threshold, so this test gives you useful data about your current athletic endurance and overall fitness.

What are the benefits of VO2 max testing?

Gathering this data can help you and Dr. Khader to:

Make more accurate predictions about your cycling wattage or steady-state running speed
Design a more effective training program
Evaluate the training program you’re participating in
Accurately measure your fitness levels to set more realistic goals

You can use your VO2 max test as a benchmark, adapt your training, and then retest to see how well the training adjustments work. Using hard data, you can take the guesswork out of the finer points of endurance practice that can otherwise be hard to see or predict.

What can I expect during a VO2 max test?

A VO2 max test usually uses either a treadmill or bike to provide a place to push to your limits while still wearing a specialized face mask. You’ll also have some monitoring equipment close by, such as a strap around your chest to keep track of your heart rate. Comparing your maximal heart rate against your resting rate can give you a personalized target heart rate range.

Plan for the test itself to take 10-20 minutes, and wear comfortable athletic clothing that won’t get in your way. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco, and fast for at least three hours before your test. Additionally, Dr. Khader may ask you to abstain from exercise and get as much rest as you can for the preceding 24 hours.

When the test starts, you exercise at an increasing intensity until you are going as hard as you can, and the test tracks your body’s responses until exhaustion. Dr. Khader will gather and review the data with you to improve your performance and health.

To schedule a visit and learn more about your VO2 max, call Naples Longevity Clinic or request an appointment online today.