At Rock Solid Physical Therapy and Performance, we’re always looking for ways to help our clients reach their peak physical potential. One of the most powerful tools we use to assess cardiovascular fitness and overall health is VO₂ Max testing. Whether you're an athlete striving for optimal performance or simply want to live a longer, healthier life, understanding your VO₂ Max can be a game-changer.
At Rock Solid, we offer VO₂ Max testing using various modalities depending on your goals and preferences:
Treadmill Testing: Ideal for runners and walkers. Testing on the treadmill has been shown to result in VO2 Max results that are several points higher than other modalities.
Stationary Bike Testing: Great for cyclists or those who prefer lower-impact options.
During the test, you'll wear a mask connected to a metabolic cart that analyzes your breath while exercising at increasing intensity. The test provides real-time data on your oxygen consumption and effort levels.
VO₂ Max testing reveals more than just a single fitness score. Key insights include:
VO₂ Max Value: A quantifiable measure of your cardiorespiratory fitness.
Aerobic Threshold (AeT): The intensity at which your body primarily uses oxygen for energy — ideal for endurance training.
Anaerobic Threshold (AnT): The point at which your body starts relying more on anaerobic energy systems — critical for high-intensity performance.
Heart Rate Zones: Personalized training zones to improve efficiency and performance.
Armed with this data, we can create customized training and rehab programs tailored to your current fitness level and long-term goals.
A landmark study published in JAMA Network Open found that higher cardiorespiratory fitness, as measured by VO₂ Max, is directly associated with reduced all-cause mortality. In fact, individuals with elite-level VO₂ Max had the lowest risk of death from all causes compared to those with low fitness levels (Mandsager et al., 2018).
Another study in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology concluded that low aerobic capacity was associated with increased mortality rates, independent of traditional risk factors, including smoking, blood pressure and serum cholesterol (Ladenvall et al., 2016).
These studies emphasize that improving your VO₂ Max isn't just about performance—it's a powerful predictor of your long-term health and lifespan.
Whether you're looking to fine-tune your training, monitor your recovery, or simply want to gain insights into your cardiovascular health, VO₂ Max testing at Rock Solid Physical Therapy and Performance is an invaluable resource. Let us help you take the guesswork out of your fitness and longevity journey.
Book your VO₂ Max test today and take the first step toward a stronger, longer, and healthier life.
Mandsager, K., Harb, S., Cremer, P., Phelan, D., Nissen, S. E., & Jaber, W. (2018). Cardiorespiratory fitness and long-term mortality: The FIT study. JAMA Network Open, 1(6), e183605. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.3605