Metabolic tests evaluate how the body utilizes energy both at rest and during exercise. These assessments may include the resting metabolic rate, VO₂max, lactate threshold, ventilatory threshold, or metabolic rate during steady-state exercise. Results can help guide fitness and performance through individualized training zones based on heart rate, pace, or power.
- Maximal Oxygen Consumption (VO2 max): Measures the maximum amount of oxygen your body can use during exercise, providing an indication of aerobic fitness and endurance capacity.
- Lactate Threshold: Measures how your blood lactate responds to increasing exercise intensity to identify key training thresholds and individualized exercise zones.
- 2-in-1 Lactate Threshold & VO2 test: A 2-in-1 test combines a lactate threshold assessment with a VO₂max test in a single appointment. A graded lactate threshold protocol will be completed, followed by a recovery period to allow lactate levels and physiological responses to settle before completing a shorter 8–12 minute maximal test to assess VO₂max. This provides both individualized training thresholds and maximal aerobic capacity within one testing session.
- Resting Metabolic Rate: Measures the energy your body uses at rest to help estimate daily calorie needs and energy expenditure.
Available Tests
Aerobic Capacity (Maximal Oxygen Consumption, V̇O2 max)
The maximal oxygen consumption test is a measure of aerobic capacity. It is a maximal effort test that is conducted while connected to a metabolic cart that measures oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production. This test determines the absolute maximum amount of oxygen that you can consume during aerobic exercise and is useful for prescribing training intensities for endurance athletes, monitoring training effects of aerobic activity, and measuring changes in health across time.
What to expect
You will complete a progressive exercise test on a treadmill or bike with stages lasting approximately 1–2 minutes. The test continues until maximal effort and provides key insights into your aerobic fitness, exercise capacity, and individual training zones.
Changing facilities are available in the lab. Do not consume any food or drink 3 hours prior to testing (preferably a light meal only at that time). Wear running clothes and shoes for the treadmill, setting up your own bike and CompuTrainer is an option.
Lactate Threshold
A lactate threshold test measures how your body responds to increasing exercise intensity. Information gathered from this test helps determine individualized training zones and can be used to guide endurance training, pacing, and performance goals for activities such as running, cycling, triathlon, and other aerobic sports.
What to expect
During the test, you will exercise on a treadmill, stationary bike, or rower as the workload (speed or power) gradually increases in 3-minute stages. Small blood samples are taken from your earlobe or finger at the end of each stage to measure blood lactate levels and pinpoint the intensity where lactate begins to accumulate. While the test becomes progressively more challenging, our staff will guide and monitor you every step of the way.
Please wear comfortable workout clothing and suitable exercise shoes. Changing facilities are available in the lab. Avoid eating or drinking for three hours before the test; a light meal during that time is preferred.
Resting Metabolic Rate
Resting metabolic rate is the energy required by the body to maintain the vital functions of the body in a resting state. This value allows you to calculate total daily energy expenditure, approximate the energy substrates being used, and to estimate caloric intake needs.
What to expect
During the assessment, you lie comfortably while a clear ventilated hood is placed over your head and shoulders. Using a Parvo Medics metabolic cart, we analyze the oxygen you consume and the carbon dioxide you produce to calculate your individual energy needs with high accuracy. The test is simple, non-invasive, and takes about 30 minutes, providing valuable insights to guide personalized nutrition, weight management, and performance fueling strategies.
For the most accurate RMR results, arrive well rested and avoid food, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, and strenuous exercise beforehand. Ideally, testing should be completed in the morning after an overnight fast, with only water consumed prior to your appointment. Changing facilities are available in the lab.