Vo2

[AFESFF]

I have read that @ 80% of a persons vo2 max is determined at birth so you really only have 20% to work with. Any info on this?
Thanks

[dentedhead]

I have read that @ 80% of a persons vo2 max is determined at birth so you really only have 20% to work with. Any info on this?
Thanks


Not sure about Vo2,but your genetic makeup does play a big role.By that I mean, if you are comprised of fast twitch muscle fibres you are more apt to be successful in events requiring an explosive type energy like sprinting, hockey those type of things.The slow twitch built will usually excel in distance running or less stop and go activities.

I found this out from experience while training to run a timed 1.5 miles.I am of the fast twitch makeup and Ill tell you aerobically I was fine but converting my energy was a bitch for the first month or so.I passed the York Vo2 with a respectable number for my age.But really had to dig for the run. Which I managed to complete in 11:36 it may as well been a marathonLOL.

Dentedhead

[FFWannabe]

Yes, but.... You can train the slow twitch muscles. Long slow boring runs can help a lot. I was able to move mine up a few points in a few months by training slowly. Strap on a headset or watch tv while on the treadmill because it's boring work, but it pays off a great deal in the long run!!!

Sue :)

[dentedhead]

Yes, but.... You can train the slow twitch muscles. Long slow boring runs can help a lot. I was able to move mine up a few points in a few months by training slowly. Strap on a headset or watch tv while on the treadmill because it's boring work, but it pays off a great deal in the long run!!!

Sue :)

My running for a goal days are over,yay!I do the bulk of my aerobic work on a bike now.I find the workouts that my trainer gives me are way more taxing.All I do now is stay in shape for work and hockey and hopefully living long enough to be a grampaLOL.

Dentedhead

[AFESFF]

Okay then my next question is I have known people that didn't get interviews with certian departments and when they asked why they were told that there vo2 max was not high enough. So is this reasonable? I don't think the vo2 max really proves anything as long as you pass . Right or Wrong
Thanks for the input.

[dentedhead]

Okay then my next question is I have known people that didn't get interviews with certian departments and when they asked why they were told that there vo2 max was not high enough. So is this reasonable? I don't think the vo2 max really proves anything as long as you pass . Right or Wrong
Thanks for the input.

Ive never heard of that.Its either you pass it or you dont they do give your numbers for your test.Im not saying its never happened but it does sound odd.The only dept I know of that wants times and values is TFD only because the pool is so deep.

Dentedhead

[AFESFF]

I did Yorks in Dec of 2004 and they give a number 40 something is a pass and then it goes up. It really does not matter my concern is that just becuse someones number is low does not mean they are out of shape. Ithink that people belive that the higher the better but this not so.
Thanks

[FFWannabe]

I did Yorks in Dec of 2004 and they give a number 40 something is a pass and then it goes up. It really does not matter my concern is that just becuse someones number is low does not mean they are out of shape. Ithink that people belive that the higher the better but this not so.
Thanks

Actually there is some truth to that. the higher the number, the healthier the heart and lungs and the more responsive lean mass your body has. I start out with a mid 50 and ended up with a low 60 just by training the right way. I definitely was more fit and healthier by the last test. We did the V02 max and lactic acid test to monitor improvement with training. I would read up on it and what it's all about and see what you can do to improve your V02, it helps with overall fitness, endruance, speed and even weight training. Unfortunately long slow endurance training is given up for sprints or high intensity training and muscle failure weight programs... the slow work will help overall fitness and V02 more than anything.

Anyway, if it were me, I would find out exactly why they use this test and how I could better my output.

Best of luck! Sue :)

[dentedhead]

Actually there is some truth to that. the higher the number, the healthier the heart and lungs and the more responsive lean mass your body has. I start out with a mid 50 and ended up with a low 60 just by training the right way. I definitely was more fit and healthier by the last test. We did the V02 max and lactic acid test to monitor improvement with training. I would read up on it and what it's all about and see what you can do to improve your V02, it helps with overall fitness, endruance, speed and even weight training. Unfortunately long slow endurance training is given up for sprints or high intensity training and muscle failure weight programs... the slow work will help overall fitness and V02 more than anything.

Anyway, if it were me, I would find out exactly why they use this test and how I could better my output.

Best of luck! Sue :)

IMHO it is a poor test for FF or even to comparativley rate fitnes in a non specific populace.

FF is an anerobic activity by that I mean it is typically short bursts of very intense work.Its not a continuous and prolonged effort such as a distance run or something of that nature.Dont get me wrong work on a fireground can be long and arduous thats why we have RE-HAB.

I will use myself and a buddy of mine as examples.Me Im built like a fire hydrant 5'7 and 200lbs(15%BF incase your wondering) in reasonaby decent shape most of my training has been geared to hockey, football and pushing weight.I was on the treadmill for 12 mins and scored 49.7 Vo2 I just checked my certificate.

My buddy on the other hand is about 5'10 175 lbs runs triatalons cross country skis way more aerobically active than me.He was on the damn thing forever because they couldnt max him. There was even a possibility of failure because they couldnt get him where they thought fit for FF was.He did pass and is on TFD.His Vo2 was around or slightly better than mine if I remember correctly.

There is a new paper about to be released by a kiniesiolgy dude from Waterloo university to back this up.When I see it I will let you know where to find it.

Not having done C-PAT I cant compare, but it seems way more job related.

My uneducated 2 cents worth.

Dentedhead

[BCFFFV]

Any experts out there on maximum heart rate training? I have been training on the excercise bike doing interval work. Going for 1 min easy, then 1 min difficult, 1 min easy, 1 min more difficult. It gets more and more difficult and after about 6 minutes I've notice my heart rate is up about 195bpm. My legs are burning and I feel like I'm going to puke at the end of 20 mins. Am I going to die if I train this hard all the time with my heart rate that high? It says my maximum heart rate should be 220 - age so that would make it about 186 max

[dentedhead]

Any experts out there on maximum heart rate training? I have been training on the excercise bike doing interval work. Going for 1 min easy, then 1 min difficult, 1 min easy, 1 min more difficult. It gets more and more difficult and after about 6 minutes I've notice my heart rate is up about 195bpm. My legs are burning and I feel like I'm going to puke at the end of 20 mins. Am I going to die if I train this hard all the time with my heart rate that high? It says my maximum heart rate should be 220 - age so that would make it about 186 max

The trainer that I go to uses this method all the time for our lung work either bike, treadmill or eliptical.He adjusts the resistance level accordingly from the average joe to elite.He trains some well known NHL,OHL,and many college/university athletes as well as people who just prefer a more challenging workout than what they can push themselves to.

Your heart rate isnt out by that much 11 is a pretty narrow margin if you factor in machine calibration, counting wrong etc.The formula your using is very familiar(ugh)he also recomends staying at one resitance level.Try mixing it up IE 45h 15e x6 or a 30/30x8 done 4 or 5 times,with a 15min cooldown after the last one at a comfortable pace.

Im no excerise physiologist or cardiologist.I am comfortable saying you wont dieLOL.

Dentedhead

[FFWannabe]

Any experts out there on maximum heart rate training? I have been training on the excercise bike doing interval work. Going for 1 min easy, then 1 min difficult, 1 min easy, 1 min more difficult. It gets more and more difficult and after about 6 minutes I've notice my heart rate is up about 195bpm. My legs are burning and I feel like I'm going to puke at the end of 20 mins. Am I going to die if I train this hard all the time with my heart rate that high? It says my maximum heart rate should be 220 - age so that would make it about 186 max

You won't die, but it's not good for your overall endurance and stamina... not to mention, hard intervals will need to find fast energy and after glycogen stores are used up your body will eat into lean mass. Intervals twice a week is likely more than enough to increase speed, you want to be sure you have a good base to allow you to perform the intervals as well and help you recover faster. Annnddd... max heart rate is just "advice",the charts tell me 198 is danger zone, but after testing and training, I can safely excede 200 bpm.

As for V02 not testing anaerobic ability, I have to differ dh, because you are increasing speed constantly you are working into your anaerobic and alactic zones. Also, your overall capacity for oxygen uptake will determine how long you can handle short spurts of work and how quickly you will recover in between. Even sprinters train with long runs at least three times a week to improve overall endurance.

Anyway, the best way to improve this and increase fitness is with a place like this (there are many others as well) http://www.peakcentre.ca/ I had no idea how much I was missing and how many misconceptions there were about fitness until I met these people! :) My program was relatively simple compared to what I was doing in the past and my fitness level skyrocketed... time to dig into the pocketbook again.. lol.. they aren't cheap!

Sue :)