Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Guess my VO2max, win some beer

I had my VO2max tested today.  As an exercise physiology data geek, this was pretty exciting.
Normally you pay for something like this, but I'm actually getting paid to do this as part of a research study.  And the best part is always the reward of participating in useful research.

VO2max is a useful measure of cardiovascular fitness, and correlates with aerobic performance.
VO2max is a terrible measure of cardiovascular fitness, and is only loosely correlated with performance, at best.

Both statements are correct to a varying degree.  Here's a chart of Vo2max ranges, in ml/kg/min.


Of course, the upper end of the range is populated with cyclists, runners, rowers, and cross-country skiers, with elite athletes in the 70s, 80s, and even 90s.  Kilian Jornet, at 92 kg/l/min, wasn't the highest ever recorded...but I'll give you a hint in that I did not exceed his value.
Likewise, I'll tell you that I'm at least average for my age (41.0 or above).

So the number is somewhere between 41.0 and 92.0 kg/l/min.
I'll offer some beer (6-pack, growler, bombers, or a mix) to the closest guess (absolute difference; tiebreaker goes to lower number) of my tested VO2max in kg/l/min, with your only primary valid guess being at least 0.2 away from all previous guesses, so early guesses have a different advantage than later guesses.  Possible delivery during Quad Rock or other social shenanigan run, but I'll either ship beer or substituted breweriana to non-local winner.

To make it fun and draw attention to myself and my non-monetized, mediocre Blog, all you have to do is leave a 3-digit guess in the comments between now and 24 hours before the start of Quad Rock (Quad Rock starts May 11th at 5:30 AM).
Seriously, I've had fun with other guessing contests based on training and physiology data, so I hope this is fun.

* You should have enough information (e.g. my gender and age, to start) for reasonable guesses
* I'll add a couple on the study itself: this was a cycling test; I ran a fairly 'normal' speed interval workout the day before; I wasn't absolutely wasted at the very end, but it was about holding steady for the last 30 seconds.
That is, I wasn't "optimized" for maxing out this cycling test, but it's a reasonable data point right in the middle of a running training cycle.

* Bonus beer (in-person only) if you can guess which particular physiological anomaly was suggested to me for the first time during this test study visit.  Anything goes!

If nobody guesses or if I'm feeling particularly cheap, I'll just make up some names and guesses myself.  Cheers!




17 comments:

  1. Joey Joe Joe Junior ShabadooMay 1, 2013 at 11:29 AM

    My fake guess is 41.0, and my other guess is that you were diagnosed with hysterical pregnancy.

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  2. Had mine done twice a year apart and it was interesting to see what specific training did to change it and my metabolic rate. (71 and 72.4 - almost mistaken for Matt Carpenter).
    Guessing 60.0

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  3. I've never had mine done but pretty sure I'd score a vomit into the mouth piece cause I'd get claustrophobic with having that thing wrapped around my melon.

    As for my guess...64.7.

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  4. 1.3 higher than Lance Armstrong.

    Ayup. That's all I've got.

    Weird anomaly: heart murmur ?

    Rather macabre guessing what might be wrong with you, but ... if there's a free beer in it....

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  5. 69.0 *giggle*

    Yes, I am that immature.

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  6. Great guesses guys, keep 'em comin'!
    Kieran, your guess needs to be at least 0.2 away from previous guesses!
    Jaime, you're right about the claustrophobia, it's not just the stupid thing on your head, but also the slobbery tube that's jammed in your mouth. And good luck at CP!

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  7. i had to go with average of everyone at 62.5.

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  8. "Fast Half"-Mary BMay 3, 2013 at 4:24 PM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  9. Fast Half Mary BMay 3, 2013 at 4:24 PM

    60.6 (from email)

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  10. Thought I should wait and throw in the last guess (bid) "Price is Right" style just to increase my chances, but I'll give it to you now: 69.2. Physiological anomaly? I don't care as long as you can pull my ass over the pass(es) this summer in the San Juans.

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  11. Okay, I guess your VO2 max is 62.2 (100K) and your physiological abnormality is a hypertrophic left ventricle, resting sinus bradycardia, and sinus arrhythmia, where your heart rate slows on expiration and increases with inspiration phases of the respiratory cycle.

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