Lactate + VO₂max (Gas-exchange) Testing — Cycling or Running

The gold standard for metabolic profiling: VO₂peak, economy and lactate thresholds combined.

What it is:

A combined incremental test measuring expired gases (VO₂, VCO₂) and lactate. VO₂ gives aerobic capacity and economy; lactate defines thresholds — together they form the most complete metabolic picture.

Modalities:

• Cycling: Indoor trainer with your bike and metabolic cart.

• Running: Treadmill with metabolic cart.
  (VO₂ testing for swimming is not standard practice in typical pool environments.)

Who it’s for:

Athletes needing VO₂max/peak, economy, ventilatory thresholds and lactate thresholds — ideal for high-precision race planning and talent ID.

Typical protocol & duration (75–120 min)

• Warm-up → graded incremental stages or ramp to volitional exhaustion with breath-by-breath gas analysis → capillary lactate at key stages.

Deliverables:

• VO₂peak/VO₂max, economy at race paces, ventilatory markers.

• Lactate curve aligned to VO₂/ventilatory thresholds.

• Integrated report: zones (power/pace/HR), pacing recommendations and sample sessions.