REPers! It’s been a minute, I’m super grateful to you for reading and learning from the articles I write! They inspire me to continue to learn and share what I’ve learned with you! A topic that has been discussed at my gym recently is V02 Max testing. 

Quick refresher: V02 is the maximum amount of oxygen the body can utilize during exercise. Basically, it’s a combination of how much oxygen rich blood your heart can pump and your heart’s efficiency in extracting and utilizing oxygen.

What makes it important?

Having a high V02 max is linked to:

• Best overall indicator of physical fitness
• Increased life span
• Reduced risk for stroke and heart disease
• Reduced risk for cancer and diabetes

How do you assess it?

The way I would assess my clients V02 is to have them walk, jog or run 1.5 miles (2400m). Based on their time, I can utilize a conversion chart created by Dr. Andy Galpin, (Kinesiology Professor at California State University, Fullerton) and obtain their score. Below is a chart for your viewing pleasure.

From this chart, we can compare their score to their age and show how their score would adjust based on age and if they lived a sedentary lifestyle. Check out the image below and review the little tidbit at the bottom of the chart.

Pretty scary right? I show this to provide additional motivation to the clients I work with. To provide them a glimpse into the future if they continue to live a sedentary lifestyle. Share this with your students and athletes, it just might be the additional push they need! On REPerformance, we have tons of assessments, one of them being the 1.5mile assessment, give it a shot and use the charts to see where you’re at!