The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Men’s Basketball Integrates VO2 Max Testing into Offseason Training
9/17/2019 10:49:00 AM | Men's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM - Always on the forefront of training, head athletic performance coach for men's basketball Nick Michael integrated the VO2 Max Test as part of the Blazers' offseason workout plan. The team conducted the test at the Susan Mott Webb Nutrition Sciences Building. The test provides important data the athletes can use in their offseason conditioning.
The VO2 Max Test is a measure of an individual's conditioning level that is calculated by measuring the maximum volume (V) of oxygen (O2) a person consumes. The test begins when the individual is hooked up to a breathing mask while undergoing a progressively more difficult treadmill test. The mask is connected to a machine that collects and measures the volume of oxygen inhaled along with the amount of carbon dioxide exhaled. The exercise intensity is slowly increased on the treadmill with speed and resistance Grade — until the subject can no longer continue or sufficient data is collected and the test is terminated.
One of the important data points is the ventilatory threshold (VT). This point has a strong correlation with lactate threshold in which blood lactate accumulates faster than it can be removed. Once this point is reached, with an increase in intensity, its only a matter of time before the athlete will hit a physiological wall.
By reviewing data points, the test will yield conditioning levels as well as the athlete's mental toughness. Some of the data points include heart rate, volume of oxygen consumed (VO2), and respiratory exchange ratio (RER).
Considering the rigors of a collegiate athlete, Michael attempts to condition the athletes utilizing the minimum effective dose. Two days a week, athletes that require extra conditioning based on VO2 max results and body composition, will condition on the Versaclimbers in the Bartow Arena weight room. One day will be a designated Ventilatory Threshold day which will be longer duration, lower intensity while the other day will be High Intensity which will require greater efforts for less duration. The objective in terms of an automotive, is to "increase the size of their gas tank for competition."
Michael, along with UAB exercise physiologist David Bryan, are able to prescribe the right duration and intensity for an effective workout regimen.
The VO2 Max Test is a measure of an individual's conditioning level that is calculated by measuring the maximum volume (V) of oxygen (O2) a person consumes. The test begins when the individual is hooked up to a breathing mask while undergoing a progressively more difficult treadmill test. The mask is connected to a machine that collects and measures the volume of oxygen inhaled along with the amount of carbon dioxide exhaled. The exercise intensity is slowly increased on the treadmill with speed and resistance Grade — until the subject can no longer continue or sufficient data is collected and the test is terminated.
One of the important data points is the ventilatory threshold (VT). This point has a strong correlation with lactate threshold in which blood lactate accumulates faster than it can be removed. Once this point is reached, with an increase in intensity, its only a matter of time before the athlete will hit a physiological wall.
By reviewing data points, the test will yield conditioning levels as well as the athlete's mental toughness. Some of the data points include heart rate, volume of oxygen consumed (VO2), and respiratory exchange ratio (RER).
Considering the rigors of a collegiate athlete, Michael attempts to condition the athletes utilizing the minimum effective dose. Two days a week, athletes that require extra conditioning based on VO2 max results and body composition, will condition on the Versaclimbers in the Bartow Arena weight room. One day will be a designated Ventilatory Threshold day which will be longer duration, lower intensity while the other day will be High Intensity which will require greater efforts for less duration. The objective in terms of an automotive, is to "increase the size of their gas tank for competition."
Michael, along with UAB exercise physiologist David Bryan, are able to prescribe the right duration and intensity for an effective workout regimen.
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