VO2 Max

Instead of simply taking notes on the human body’s bioenergetic systems, Mr Amiel’s Grade 12 biology class took a trip to PISE (The Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence) in Victoria. After touring the facilities with a guide, the class began to perform tests, and in some unfortunate cases, to be tested on.  The aforementioned testing was a VO2-Max test, which was completed by four unfortunate athletes and a support crew taking data and offering encouragement. A VO2-Max test is used to measure the maximum amount of oxygen that an individual can utilize during intense, sustained exercise. In our case we used a spin bike to carry out the exercise portion.  The poor students on the bike were being monitored the whole time and data was collected. More simple measurements such as heart rate and perceived intensity were recorded, but also, thanks to a tube and headgear, every exhalation the athlete made was analyzed by the computer (attached to the other end of the tube) which gathered data based on the makeup of the exhaled air.  I had the amazing opportunity and misfortune of being one of the bikers, and from both personal and second-hand experience, it was one of the most physically taxing events in our lives. While other students gathered the data, one or two were on standby for when the biker eventually finished, and by finished I mean collapsed and needed to be carried off while re-learning how to walk.  In retrospect, the trip, along with being a unique experience, cemented and provided real life data to support what we are learning. The most applicable area of life that our learning would impact would be athletics, and this trip demonstrated exactly how science and sport work together to create the best possible athletic outcome. Thanks to Mr Amiel and the staff at PISE for making this learning opportunity possible. Connor W, Ellis ‘18