VO2 Max / CPET
Understand your fitness …. Achieve your personal best!
Cardio-pulmonary exercise testing (CPET or CPX) is the fundamental exercise testing modality to assess cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) by measuring VO2Max. The medically supervised CPET study, previously only available in specialised Sports Institutes, Universities and Hospitals, is now available to our clients at Veritas Executive Health, Sydney.
CPET can fully assess heart function, lung function, neuromuscular function as well as metabolic function, right down to the intracellular mitochondrial level.
Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing
During a CPET, we measure the oxygen level (VO2) and the carbon dioxide level (VCO2) in expired gases for each breath during the exercise test, as well as total minute ventilation (VE) in litres per minute. We also measure continuous transcutaneous oxygen saturation during exercise as well as blood pressure, heart rate, a continuous 12 lead ECG tracing and a peak exercise blood lactate measurement.
These detailed measurements enable us to determine the VO2Max, which is the amount of oxygen the body utilises at maximal exercise. This is the only true measure of an individual’s cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) level and is essential to determine our client’s specific risk of cardiovascular disease, all-cause mortality, and cancer mortality rate. This is fundamental in making any determinations regarding an individual’s likelihood of healthspan, wellness and longevity.
“Low cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular disease, all-cause mortality, and mortality rates attributable to various cancers. CRF (determined by measuring VO2Max) is a stronger predictor of mortality than established risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The addition of CRF to traditional risk factors significantly improves the assessment of risk for adverse health outcomes.”
Using the CPET we are also able to determine the anaerobic (or lactate) threshold, the respiratory compensation point, maximum voluntary ventilation, ventilatory reserve, O2 pulse, as well as several other fundamental physiological parameters of heart, lung and metabolic function.
We use these measurements to determine exact heart rate Training Zones for each client in order to optimise their endurance training as well as their high intensity interval training (HIIT). We can therefore maximise training efficiency and ensure that our clients train smarter, not harder, and minimise the risk of overtraining and injury.
The CPET/ VO2Max test can be performed on our medical treadmill or on our professional cycling ergometer, depending on your preference.
In preparation for the test we recommend:
- being fasted for at least 2 hours prior to the test
- avoid alcohol 24 hours prior the test
- avoid consuming caffeine on the day of the test
- avoid any heavy exercise on the day of the test.
