Podcast Episode
Ep. 53 - Submax vs. Max VO2 Testing: How to Design the Right Protocol for Every Client
About this episode
Get A Demo: https://korr.com/contact/video-demo/ In this episode of Metabolic Mastery, Dr. Marc Humbert and Dr. Cameron Garber break down one of the most commonly misunderstood areas of exercise physiology testing: how to properly design submaximal and maximal VO2 tests. Whether you're working with elite athletes, deconditioned beginners, firefighters, or everyone in between, the best test isn't the hardest one — it's the one designed to measure exactly what you need to know. Marc and Cameron walk through equipment selection, protocol design, test length, and the critical indicators that confirm a true VO2 max has been reached. They also explore why calling it "exercise metabolic testing" rather than "VO2 max testing" opens the door to richer, more actionable clinical data — including fat oxidation, lactate thresholds, energy system analysis, and more. You'll Learn: Why "test what you intend to measure" should guide every protocol decision How to choose the right exercise modality (treadmill, cycle, rucksack, and more) based on your client's primary activity The ideal test length range and how to avoid peripheral fatigue skewing your results Key indicators of a true VO2 max: VO2 plateau, RER thresholds, RPE, and age-predicted heart rate percentage The difference between VO2 max and VO2 peak — and why it matters clinically When submaximal testing is the smarter (and safer) choice How the Cardio Coach enables extrapolated VO2 max from submaximal data — and its limitations Pre-participation screening tools like the PAR-Q and how they shape your test design Why VO2 max alone doesn't tell the whole performance story Follow KORR: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/korrmedical/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/korrmedical/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/korrmedical https://korr.com/ Listen to the Metabolic Mastery Podcast: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/metabolic-mastery/id1812972674 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2sgLMFv1Z8DwEz87yUpapI?si=29a177a6c6ca4ed4 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@korrmed/podcasts YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVCRWXBDdFo_S0OeaAsPv8xTnfajTLc75&si=d4wVUA0jqajkbukB Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d76834b7-c11a-485f-8010-32b490d49e57/metabolic-mastery