Well firstly the test. The Conconi or 'step test' measures Maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max), the maximum rate at which an individual can utilise oxygen whilst breathing air at sea level, despite increases in power output (Withers, Gore, Gass & Hahn, 2000). It is effectively a measure of cardiovascular function and provides an indicator of endurance performance potential. It should be included for athletes whose events or training involves continuous strenuous activity (Winter et al., 2006). A wide variation in VO2max can be expected, typical values are 30-80ml∙kg-1 for 20-30year old men and 25-65 ml∙kg-1 for women. Values decrease after the age of 30 by approximately 1 ml∙kg-1 and is heavily genetically influenced (McArdle et al., 2000). VO2max can be a weak predictor of race performance due to importance of other metabolic and neural factors (Noakes, 2000). It is robust to changes in protocol, with no change reported with variations in time and velocity increases (Billat et al., 1996). Exercise mode has a significant (p<0.01) impact on VO2max and is reflective of the specific adaptations to training (Roels et al., 2005). Aside from biological variability small changes in ventilation and fraction of dry oxygen greatly impact on measurement on VO2max and hence the requirement for careful calibration.
meaning of numbers!!!
Now back in the day my VO2max was 57ml.min-1.kg-1 and up until 4 years ago the fitness test on my polar watch was coming out at 52ml.min-1.kg-1. Now this lab test is telling me i've dropped to 40!!! I think that is pish and was probably badly affected by the type of face mask they used. It covered the nose and the mouth and once i got onto the final couple of steps, my breathing pushed the mask off my face, moving the mask, breaking the seal and probably invalidating the result given that only small changes in ventilation can seriously impact on the result.
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