VO₂ max testing at Seton

Cardiopulmonary care teams at Ascension Texas Cardiovascular Seton provide testing to improve your athletic performance and well-being in Central Texas.

Cardiopulmonary fitness & VO₂ max testing

Cardiopulmonary care teams at Ascension Texas Cardiovascular Seton provide testing to improve your athletic performance and well-being in Central Texas.

CALL 512-324-3440

Why choose Ascension Texas Cardiovascular

Our program is led by sports cardiologist Ryan J. Quinn, MD, who has specialized training in cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). Dr. Quinn combines VO₂ Max testing with a personalized evaluation to help you better understand your heart health, aerobic capacity, and physical performance. He will help turn your individual results into actionable recommendations tailored to your unique health and fitness goals.

Our comprehensive program offers:

Advanced cardiovascular performance testing
Expert interpretation directly from a sports cardiologist
Personalized guidance tailored for athletes and active individuals

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Understand VO₂ max testing

Understanding your heart health is a powerful way to safely and effectively improve your athletic performance.

What is a VO₂ Max Test?

VO₂ max measures the maximum amount of oxygen your body can utilize while exercising, making it a gold-standard tool to understand your current fitness level. The more oxygen you can inhale and process, the more energy your body can use. Consequently, a higher VO₂ max usually correlates with better overall physical fitness.

Who can benefit from cardiopulmonary performance testing?

Our specialized performance program is designed for a wide range of individuals, including:

Competitive and recreational athletes
Runners, cyclists and endurance athletes
Individuals training for peak performance
Active adults focused on improving mobility and quality of life
Individuals returning to exercise who want a better understanding of their heart health

What to expect from a VO₂ max test

The VO₂ max test utilizes a treadmill or stationary bike stress evaluation to carefully monitor your exercise capacity by tracking your heart rate and oxygen levels. The Ascension Texas Cardiovascular cardiopulmonary care team will equip you with a mask that covers your nose and mouth. You will also have a heart monitor attached to your body while performing on the exercise equipment.

The VO₂ max test is not covered by insurance as this is an elective test:

VO₂ max test with test results is $199
Post VO2 max testing consultation with our dedicated care team

During the test:

Tell the staff right away if you feel dizzy, short of breath, or need to stop.
The test will get harder as you go. That’s normal.
You will be watched closely to keep you safe.

The test results and working with a physician can help you as an athlete make meaningful changes to your training program.

Preparing for your VO₂ max test

To ensure the most accurate results, please review the following eligibility requirements and preparation steps before your scheduled test.

Age Requirement: Testing is available for individuals aged 16–80.
Disqualifiers: For your safety, you are not eligible for this elective test if you have a history of any of the following conditions:
- History of heart attack
- History of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
- Defibrillator or pacemaker in situ
- History of sudden cardiac arrest
- History of fainting with exercise
- History of pulmonary hypertension
- History of right heart failure
- History of recent (<12 months) stroke or pulmonary embolism
- Recent cardiac ablation (<3 months)
- Recent cardiac stent not in the setting of a heart attack (<1 month)
- History of aortic aneurysm or previous repair
- History of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (Ex. ARVC/ACM, LMNA, Filamin A/C)
- History of severe valvular disease or valve repair/replacement
- Inability to walk on a treadmill or pedal on the stationary bike

Don’t eat a big meal 2–3 hours before your test.
No caffeine, coffee, soda, alcohol, or smoking for at least 3 hours before your test.
You can have a small snack or water earlier.

Don’t do hard workouts the day before or the day of the test.
Get a good night’s sleep before your test.
For cyclists: Bring your bike measurements
Saddle Height: The distance from the center of the bottom bracket (pedal axle) to the top of your saddle.
Saddle Setback: The horizontal distance from the bottom bracket to the nose of your saddle.
Handlebar Reach: The horizontal distance from the saddle to the handlebars.
Handlebar Stack (Height): The vertical distance from the bottom bracket to the top of the handlebars.

If you plan to utilize our VO2 Max Model: MAX-IIa Metabolic System, we offer the following:

The Trackmaster Treadmill TMX428CP–can fit up to 7 feet 5 inches for basketball platers)
The Lode Excalibur Sport bike.

If you take medicine for your heart or blood pressure, ask your doctor if you should take it before the test.
Take your regular medicines, unless your doctor says not to.