At the Tri Exhibition at Sandown Park on 8-9 February 2003 visitors
and compeititors in the Smilebuster
Finals had the opportunity to have their VO2 Max tested by TrainSmart:
"VO2 Max, represents the ability of your heart, lungs, and circulation
system to deliver oxygen to your muscles (VO2 is Volume of Oxygen).
As a result, it is a gauge of the maximum amount of energy or work that
your body has the potential to produce at its peak performance. Your
body can only perform at this level for a very brief period of time
before you are completely exhausted. This potential is impacted by hereditary
factors, your health and your age."
A score greater than 60 is considered to be pretty good, with professional
cyclists achieving in excess of 75. Hywel scored 80.7, just inside the
Olympic Zone. Indeed, according to the VO2 calculator at Runners
Web, Hywel should be able to do a Marathon in around 2:06! Here
are a few VO2 scores from Runners Web:
| Steve Prefontaine, US runner |
84.4 |
Frank Shorter, US Olympic Marathon winner
|
71.3 |
Ingrid Kristiansen, ex-Marathon World Record Holder
|
71.2 |
Derek Clayton, Australian ex-Marathon World Record holder
|
69.7 |
Rosa Mota, Marathon runner
|
67.2 |
Jeff Galloway, US Runner
|
73.0 |
Paula Ivan, Russian Olympic 1500M Record Holder
|
71.0 |
Jarmila Krotochvilova,Czech Olympian 400M/800M winner
|
72.8 |
Greg LeMond, professional cyclist
|
92.5 |
Matt Carpenter, Pikes Peak marathon course record holder
|
92.0 |
Miguel Indurain, professional cyclist
|
88.0 |
