VO2 stands for volume of oxygen consumed, and is generally measured in liters per minute (L/min) and also scaled for different bodyweights (mL/min/kg). That is, the amount of oxygen that your heart can pump to your muscles. One can say that the larger the value, the better cardiovascular shape you are in, as your heart can pump more oxygen and so you can perform more work during exercise (move faster).

The test generally lasts from 10 – 15 minutes, and works by increasing the workload each minute. In my case, the grade was set at 14%, and the speed was increased 0.5 mph each minute until failure. I think I failed at about 7 – 7.5 mph. The clip only shows the end of the test.

There are plenty of specifics one could talk about in regards to exercise performance – such as the applicability of such a test versus a lactate threshold test – but I just wanted to point out this video as my colleagues were laughing at it (and me) recently.

Final stats

Max VO2 (L/min): 5.3
(ml/kg/min): 64
Max heartrate: 194

Don’t try to max out while hiking!