Volume of Oxygen testing is a method which reveals the body’s potential for endurance by measuring its use of oxygen and is available free of charge at designated Camp Pendleton fitness centers.

Testing at a base fitness center requires the subject be an active duty service member, family member, Department of Defense employee and be 18 years or older.

This test would normally cost about $200 or more to be conducted at a private practice.

“The person being tested will have a heart rate monitor and a face mask that covers their nose and mouth,” said Nicole Preston, health promotion coordinator, 11 Area Fitness Center. “We then place them on a treadmill or a stationary bike and have them run or pedal until they reach their anaerobic threshold.”

While individuals run or bike, their heart rate and breathing are monitored by a VO2 machine which records the results as speed and difficulty are gradually increased.

“It takes an average of 15 to 20 minutes for someone to reach their threshold,” said Preston.

The tests are used as a way to monitor anaerobic fitness. Anaerobic fitness is how well your body uses oxygen when put under physical strain such as exercise.

The VO2 test can also be used to aid in designing a training regiment and monitor progress as an individual trains.

Volume of Oxygen scores are broken down by age and gender and have six different rating categories: very poor, poor, fair, good, excellent and superior.

The higher the score, the better the body uses oxygen during strenuous activity.

Most Marines will score in the high fifties which puts them in the superior range, however, the highest recorded scores typically belong to cross country skiers who get an average of 90, said Preston.

Marines who have a low VO2 score can speak with Semper Fit personnel to design a training regiment to improve their anaerobic health based on what the test determines to be their weakest points.

For more information on VO2 testing, or to schedule a VO2 appointment, contact the 11 Area Fitness Center at (760) 763-3793 or the 53 Area Fitness Center at (760) 763-0419.