Empirical Cycling Podcast Watts Doc #18: Why Everything You Know About VO2max Power Is Probably Wrong
Apr 26, 2020
They dig into why VO2max power is not a single fixed number and how testing protocols shape results. Ramp test flaws, stage durations, and the role of anaerobic capacity get examined. Alternatives like short maximal efforts and paired five-minute tests are discussed. Consistency in testing and measuring oxygen directly are emphasized.
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Ramp Rate Strongly Changes VO2max Power
- Ramp tests produce a VO2max plateau criterion but their final power (Wmax) depends heavily on step/ramp rate and cadence rules.
- Adami and other studies showed identical VO2 values across protocols while Wmax varied enormously (e.g., 366W vs 282W across step durations).
VO2 Peak Is Not The Same As VO2max
- VO2 peak equals the highest measured VO2 in a test but lacks the plateau that proves true VO2max, so many studies report VO2peak as VO2max incorrectly.
- Verification bouts can help but still may not reach the Hill-Lupton plateau criterion.
Exercise Mode Alters Measured VO2max
- VO2max test mode matters because available muscle mass changes maximal oxygen uptake; running or skiing often yield higher VO2 than cycling.
- Cross-country skiers use more muscle mass and therefore often show the highest VO2max values.