Treadmill VO2 max Test

Testing and measurement are the means of collecting information upon which subsequent performance evaluations and decisions are made but in the analysis we need to bear in mind the factors that may influence the results.

Objective

To monitor the development of the athlete's general endurance (VO2 max).

Required Resources

To undertake this test you will require:

  • Treadmill where speed and grade of slope can be adjusted
  • Stop watch
  • An assistant

How to conduct the test

The athlete runs on a treadmill to exhaustion. At timed stages during the run the slope of the treadmill is increased as detailed in the table below.

Time (minutes) km/hour Slope
0 11.3 0°
1 11.3 2°
2 11.3 4°
3 11.3 6°
4 11.3 8°
5 11.3 10°
6 11.3 11°
7 11.3 12°
8 11.3 13°
9 11.3 14°
10 11.3 15°
11 11.3 16°
12 11.3 17°
13 11.3 18°
14 11.3 19°
15 11.3 20°

The treadmill is set up with a speed of 11.3 km/hour (7.02 miles/hr) and a slope of 0° and the athlete commences the test. At minute intervals during the test the slope of the treadmill is adjusted.

The assistant starts the stopwatch at the start of the test and stops it when the athlete is unable to continue - this ideally should be between 9 and 15 minutes.

Convert treadmill slope

Enter a value, select the parameter (degrees or percent) and then select the "Calculate" button.

Convert = =

Analysis

Analysis of the result is by comparing it with the results of previous tests. It is expected that, with appropriate training between each test, the analysis would indicate an improvement. From the total running time, an estimate of the athlete's Vo2 max can be calculated as follows:

  • VO2 max = 42 + (Time × 2)

"Time" is the total time of the test expressed in minutes and fractions of a minute.

Example

The athlete stopped the test after 13 minutes 15 seconds of running (13.25 minutes).

  • VO2 max = 42 + (13.25 × 2)
  • Vo2 max = 68.5 mls/kg/min

VO2 max Calculator

For an estimate of your VO2 max enter the duration of the run and then select the 'Calculate' button.

Time minutes VO2 Max mls/kg/min

For an analysis of your VO2 max score see the VO2 max page.

Target Group

This test is suitable for endurance athletes and players of endurance sports (e.g. football, rugby) but not for individuals where the test would be contraindicated.

Reliability

Reliability would depend upon, how strict the test is conducted and the individual's level of motivation to perform the test.

Validity

There are published VO2max tables and the correlation to actual VO2max is high. For an assessment of your Vo2 max see the VO2 max normative data tables.

Free Calculator

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Associated Links

 

Associated Pages

The following Sports Coach pages should be read in conjunction with this page:

Associated Books

The following books provide more information related to this topic:

  • Advanced Studies in Physical Education and Sport, P Beashel et al., ISBN 0 17 4482345
  • Physical Education and the Study of Sport, B. Davis et al., ISBN 0 7234 31752
  • Essentials of Exercise Physiology, W.D. McArdle et al., ISBN 0 683 30507 7
  • Physical Education and Sport Studies, D. Roscoe et al., ISBN 1 901424 20 0
  • The World of Sport Examined, P. Beashel et al., ISBN 0 17 438719 9
  • Advanced PE for Edexcel, F. Galligan et al., ISBN 0 435 50643 9
  • Examining Physical Education, K. Bizley, ISBN 0 435 50660 9
  • Sport and PE, K Wesson et al., ISBN 0 340 683821
  • PE for you, J. Honeybourne, ISBN 0 7487 3277 2