How to Estimate VO2 Max

VO2 Max is a measurement of the largest amount of oxygen a body can process during a physical activity. VO2 measurements are often taken to gauge the condition of athletes training for events that require a considerable amount of oxygen, such as running, cycling, swimming and fighting. By measuring VO2 max throughout training, athletes can make adjustments to their training regimen based on the data they find.

Things You'll Need

  • Stopwatch
  • Calculator
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Instructions

    • 1

      Walk at a constant rate around a 400-meter track for exactly 12 minutes. This walk should be timed using your stopwatch. It's important that you maintain the same speed throughout. Walk as quickly as you can without having to change speed.

    • 2

      Stop your watch at exactly 12 minutes and determine how many meters you walked. The distance will be used in your calculation to determine your VO2 Max.

    • 3

      Multiply the distance you traveled by 0.0206, using your calculator.

    • 4

      Subtract 11.3 from the number you determined by multiplying the distance you traveled by 0.0206. This new number is your estimated VO2 Max.