The VO2-Max/Lactat Threshold Test... ON THE TREADMILL.
It's for sure not the worst thing in the world, but come on, a simple EKG-test on a bicycle would do it, too... lol.
In our profession, before our contracts become 100% guaranteed, each player has to go through a physical examination organized by the clubteam. This clause protects the club and assures them that they didn't buy a pig in a poke.
In my career I've been through different types of "acceptance" tests, as I like to call them: from simply shaking the team doctors' hand and telling him that I was healthy, to getting my blood tested, doing step-ups onto a box, to the oh-so-hated Lactate Threshold/VO2-Max Test.
Yep, I mean the word alone makes you say "OH!"
What in the world is this test about? VO2 Max measures the maximum amount of oxygen that an individual can utilize during maximal or exhaustive exercise.
Lactate Threshold points out the moment/intensity of an exercise where our bodies rapidly begins to accumulate lactic acid... Simply put, when our muscles start to get tired.
What in the world is all of this good for?
It measures the aerobic fitness and maximal oxygen uptake and helps to determine the most efficient type of practice to "get into shape".
How does such a test look like?
To spare myself the embarrassment, I decided NOT to film myself during the test... lol... but here is a video that show what we go through... and let me tell you, I was almost running as fast as this girl... almost!
Who would have thought that becoming a professional basketball player would lead to all of this?
Hahaha, it's not just running up and down the court and putting a small orange ball into a round wire, but luckily MOST OF THE TIME it is!!!!!
... and here are some pictures of my test:
Enjoy, but don't laugh... or I am going to schedule you to take one, too!!!!
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| getting started... still all smiles |
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| getting hooked up to the mask.. it's super tight and doesn't smell good... and even though I am not, I felt claustrophobic |
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| still posing |
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oh oh, here we go!
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| getting my blood pressure measured..... (As if I am not hooked up to enough cables yet...lol) And yes, I am a little exhausted, thus the empty stare ;) |
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| the lady is poking my ear for some blood: the lactate sample |
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| come on, lady!!! please I am tired... no more blood! |
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| Done!!!! |
3 comments:
Do you always carry a camera? It's great!
Mas o menos, siempre... si :)
Virginia said...
it's so interesting for me because i have studied the career of psysical education like your coach Alejandro!! haha good job, linda!! I hate the physical test, too!! :)
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