One answer...Performance Testing with theTriLife.com
Allow the science of your body to be unleashed:

• VO2max
• Lactate Threshold
• Heart Rate Zones
• Power Zones
• Power to weight ratio
• Body Composition
• Economy of motion
• Fuel usage

Remember that all this information reflects your own physiological make-up. These characteristics are NOT the same in everyone; this is because we all have our own unique engine. Therefore, assessing what your physiological parameters are will allow you to understand the science of your own unique engine.

Armed with the science of your body and combined with top coaching you can take advantage of your true potential.


FAQ:


• 1. How many assessments should I have per year?

theTriLife.com recommend 4 assessments per race year. We have classified this into 4 distinct stages to reflect the stage of training you maybe in at any given time. This is because each assessment is designed slightly differently depending on your training phase so that the information gathered is more sensitive and useful to you and your coach. So theorectically you should aim to have the test just before you commence each training phase.

• 2. What are VO2 / VO2max?

VO2 describes the rate of oxygen uptake. This varies depending on the intensity of exercise. VO2max is defined as your maximum oxygen uptake and reflects your performance capacity.

• 3. What is lactate threshold?

Lactate threshold is described as the point where lactate production begins to exceed clearance. At specific levels lactate and other metabolites can impair endurance performance and thus slow you down. It is your lactate response that theTriLife.com are interested in, i.e. how effective you are at using lactate as a fuel and at what intensities production begins to slow you down, and therefore how to manipulate this to optimise your training.

• 4. What are heat rate training zones?

Heart rate zones are highly variable between individuals. Therefore assessing heart rate during a standardised assessment will take the individual variability out of the equation and reflect your own physiological response rather than someone elses.

• 5. What does power to weight ratio mean?

Power to weight ratio is measured as watts per kg. A high power to weight ratio means the greater power you are able to generate per kg of body mass. Greater power means greater average speed!

• 6. What are power zones?

Your power output reflects the amount of energy you can transfer to the pedals and is therefore very useful for monitoring performance and exercise intensity. Assessing power outputs during a standardised protocol allows for determination of your power zones and a formidable training tool.

• 7. Why is body composition important?

Understanding your body composition will go a long way to helping you improve your power to weight ratio. Conversely making sure you have enough body fat is equally important since we all require a certain amount of fat to function!

• 8. What is economy of motion?

This reflects your movement velocity for a given energy consumption. Through training your aim is to either reduce your energy consumption while maintaining your movement velocity, or increase your velocity for the same energy output.

• 9. What does a VO2 assessment involve?

To measure your VO2 you will perform a maximal exercise test while we measure your oxygen consumption. To do this you will wear a small face mask which will measure your expired gases while you exercise.

• 10. What does a lactate assessment involve?

To measure your lactate you will perform a maximal exercise test while we measure your blood lactate levels. This is performed by taking a small finger prick sample of blood from your finger while you exercise.

• 11. Am I fit enough?

The test protocols are adapted depending on your current fitness levels so that we can gain the most relevant information from the test.

• 12. Further questions? Contact mike@thetrilife.com