Sophie Raworth writes about undergoing a VO2 max test and discovering that her score has not dropped over the years.
Raworth reports that she underwent a rigorous cardiorespiratory assessment at Mark Roberts’ gym, Personal Space, in Kingston-upon-Thames. She writes that she previously completed a VO2 max test fifteen years prior at the age of forty-three. She notes that the procedure requires running on a treadmill while wearing a tight respiratory mask connected to a monitoring machine via a large tube.
In Plain English: The Clinical Takeaway
- VO2 Max Efficiency: This metric reflects the efficiency of your “engine” — your heart and lungs — and how they take on board oxygen and convert it to the muscle.
- Aerobic and Anaerobic Thresholds: The test also shows a runner’s aerobic and anaerobic thresholds, which are of particular interest for marathon training.
- Longitudinal Preservation: According to Roberts, longevity is about VO2 and muscle mass — the two main influencers that will maintain a healthy human being for longer.
Testing Cardiovascular Efficiency at Kingston-upon-Thames
Roberts explains the underlying mechanics of the evaluation to Raworth during the assessment. This test is looking at the efficiency of your engine, your heart and lungs, and how they take on board oxygen and convert it to the muscle,
Roberts states, as reported in Runner’s World.
Roberts adds that VO2 naturally diminishes after age thirty as the heart becomes less efficient. He emphasizes that maintaining longevity requires preserving both VO2 and muscle mass.
To her surprise, Raworth reports that her score remained unchanged at 51. Roberts attributes this outcome to consistent cardiovascular training over the years supplemented more recently by heavy weights. She notes that the average score for a fifty-eight-year-old woman is thirty.
| Metric Measured | Raworth’s Result | Population Baseline (Age 58) |
|---|---|---|
| VO2 Max Score | 51 | ~30 |
| Testing Environment | Personal Space Gym | — |
| Primary Influencers | Cardio & Heavy Weights | — |
Evaluating Utility for Marathon Training Plans
Despite securing a high score, Raworth questions the practical utility of the data for everyday runners. She notes that responses from her social media followers ranged from boasting rights to general fitness benchmarking. Seeking professional clarity, she consults her coach, Jo Wilkinson, regarding the relevance of the data.
Wilkinson validates the broader utility of the assessment while noting limitations for recreational athletes. It is a broad sign of fitness and how you process oxygen,
Wilkinson states in the Runner’s World report. But the test also shows us your aerobic and anaerobic thresholds. And that’s much more interesting for your marathon training.
Wilkinson explains that threshold data allows coaches to work out what pace a runner should be training at on long runs and faster interval sessions.
However, Wilkinson advises that the test is primarily worthwhile for elites and fast club runners at the top of their game, for whom the numbers are very useful for fine tuning. For most runners, Wilkinson suggests that running 5K or 10K races provides a pretty good idea of where their thresholds are.
| Runner Demographic | Diagnostic Value | Alternative Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Elite / Fast Club Runners | High (Fine-tuning training paces) | — |
| Recreational Athletes | Limited | 5K or 10K Race Times |
Comparing Laboratory Data With Wearable Tech
Following the gym evaluation, Raworth examines the printout full of graphs and figures provided by Roberts. She checks her Garmin sports watch and discovers an unexpected alignment. She reports that her wearable device had been displaying a VO2 max score of 51 for months prior to the physical assessment.
Raworth notes that this is the metric she has been keeping her eye on ever since the unexpected coincidence. Meanwhile, Runner’s World highlights that club members retain access to a library of over one hundred coach-written training plans.
Club Membership Offers Training Plans and Tracking Perks
Runner’s World notes that club membership starts at one pound to unlock access to training plans, including half marathon plans for all time goals and abilities, along with other exclusive perks. Raworth continues to track her VO2 max score through her wearable device.
