Watt max bicycle fitness test
For anyone who wish to measure fitness accurately, this test is one of the best. The test requires a reliable bicycle ergometer and it requires maximal bicycling effort from the person being tested. With these requirements fulfilled the test result will be very close to what can be measured with laboratory equipment.
The Watt-max test is a maximal test conducted on a bicycle ergometer. It is one of the best indirect tests of VO2max available.
Instructions:
1. Start on a workload of 35 watt and increase with 35 watt every 2nd minute.
2. Continue untill the workload can no longe be maintained.
3. Note the highest workload reached and how many seconds you managed on this workload.
VO2max
ml/kg/min
--.-
Gender
Age
Weight
Time
Workload
yrs
This calculator is also included in Fitness Test pro
Background:
The energy cost for doing bicycling at any given workload is fairly consistent among different individuals. Therefore maximal oxygen consumption can be estiamted by measuring the highest workolad that can be performed under reasonable aerobic conditions.
Comments
I would guess that in tests that involve power, cadence is not really a factor. 100W in a high gear takes the exact same effort is 100W in a low gear. I usually just maintain 90-100RPM, as per the norm.