Physiological Testing
Your body is a machine. It's high time you looked under the hood to see how it's working. Physiological testing can help you improve your performance and maximize your potential. We offer five testing procedures aimed to do just that.
Blood Lactate and VO2 Testing - $195
(Note that either test can be taken separately for $125.)
Blood lactate and VO2 testing offer endurance athletes a crucial look at their current fitness and athletic potential. These tests will provide the necessary components to assess current form and fitness and create training zones based on heart rate and power. The tests were once only available to elite athletes, but now all athletes can obtain this data to increase the effectiveness of their training. If you use a structured training program based on training zones, this is the best measure to accurately create your zones.
Following your evaluation we will review your results and discuss them with you before you leave, as well as provide handouts. We have developed unique protocols for testing all athletes from Olympians and world champions to recreational cyclists. All levels of ability can benefit from this data!
VO2 Test: This test will reveal your aerobic efficiency using a metabolic analyzer and O2:CO2 respiratory analysis. The aerobic energy system is the absolute foundation for endurance athletics. This test will reveal aerobic threshold; the exercise intensity which produces maximum aerobic efficiency (i.e., the point at which the aerobic energy system yields the highest percentage of total energy utilized), as well as your anaerobic threshold. For the cycle test, wattage at threshold will be revealed, as well. This test may be performed on a Computrainer (with your own bicycle), Velotron, or a treadmill.
Blood Lactate Test: Lactate balance point is the intensity (wattage or pace) at which lactate begins to accumulate in the blood faster than it can be metabolized by your body. The accumulation of blood lactate begins when the body can no longer meet energy demands aerobically and increases it’s reliance on the glycogen energy source which correlates with fatigue in the body. The only way to measure this is by blood analysis. Note that we take a pinprick sample of blood to perform the test.
Using the FaCT protocol, the blood lactate test may be performed on a Computrainer or Velotron, or on a treadmill for running athletes. For the cycle test, wattage at threshold will be provided. Maximal steady state of blood lactate will be determined, as well.
Resting Metabolic Rate Testing - $125
Ever wonder how many calories you burn each day? This test will determine your personal daily metabolic demands. This is the test to determine your dietary demands. Via respiratory analysis, the results will determine how many calories you burn during an average day and the precise percentage of fat and carbohydrate calories used. All effective weight loss or maintenance programs must include this information. The test is simple and painless and involves fasting for 10 hours overnight and then coming directly to Herriott Sports Performance and relaxing while respiration is evaluated for 20 minutes. The results will be discussed prior to leaving the appointment.
Body Composition Evaluation - $25
Body composition is the percentage of fat versus lean mass in the body. We use precision Lange body calipers to measure your composition. This test, in combination with resting metabolic rate (RMR) evaluation and nutritional consultation, is a perfect starting point for a healthy nutrition program.