VO2 Max is measured in a lab test. The rider undertaking the test rides on a fixed bike on which the resistance, and therefore the amount of power that the rider has to put out, can be controlled.

During the test the rider will wear a mask to provide and control their air supply. The gasses that pass through this mask are carefully measured – the difference in the amount of oxygen in the air inhaled compared with the amount of oxygen in the air exhaled gives the total amount of oxygen being used.

The test follows a strictly prescribed protocol. There are a number of different protocols but they are all a variation on a ramp test. A ramp test is where the resistance is gradually increased over time and this means that the rider is forced to ride harder and harder until eventually they can no longer continue the effort. Oxygen consumption is measured throughout the test and the peak figure reached is the rider’s VO2 Max.

Last time out I covered lactate threshold and lactate threshold testing often takes place at the same time as a VO2 Max test. As the intensity of the effort increases, blood samples are taken at regular intervals and tested for their blood lactate concentration. The power the rider is putting out when their blood lactate reaches 4mmol/litre is considered to be their lactate threshold.

So now that you have a good idea of what VO2 Max is and why it’s important, let’s look at some typical figures.