Cardiopulmonary fitness testing

Cardiopulmonary care teams at Ascension St. John provide testing to improve your athletic performance and well-being in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Cardiopulmonary fitness testing in Oklahoma or Advanced cardiopulmonary care for athletic and sports performance in Tulsa

Cardiopulmonary care teams at Ascension St. John provide testing to improve your athletic performance and well-being in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Why choose us

The cardiopulmonary care team at Ascension St. John Human Performance Clinic provides VO₂ max testing to help you better understand your endurance capabilities.

Understand VO₂ max testing

Understanding your heart health can help you improve your athletic performance. VO₂ max measures how much oxygen your body uses while exercising. It's a common tool to understand your fitness level. The more oxygen you inhale, the more energy your body can use. Higher VO₂ max usually means better physical fitness.

What to expect from a VO₂ max test

The VO₂ max test uses a treadmill or stationary bike stress evaluation to monitor exercise capacity through heart rate and oxygen levels. The Ascension St. John 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 in the Human Performance Lab with Dr. Richard Kacere is $149

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

For better results, here are a few things to know before taking the VO₂ max test:

Don’t eat a big meal 2–3 hours before your test.
No 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.

Please bring the following measurements:

Saddle height (from your bike, if matching)

Distance from the center of the bottom bracket (pedal axle) to the top of the saddle

Saddle setback

Horizontal distance from the bottom bracket to the nose of the saddle

Handlebar reach

Horizontal distance from the saddle to the handlebars.

Handlebar stack (height)

Vertical distance from the bottom bracket to the top of the handlebars.

Crank length

Choose from preset lengths on the KICKR Bike: 165mm, 167.5mm, 170mm, 172.5mm, or 175mm.
Match your usual crank length for consistency and comfort.

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.

A list of your medications.
Any paperwork your doctor gave you.
A water bottle and towel (optional).

Bring your own pedals if desired
Shimano and Wahoo Speedplay pedals available for cyclists
Wahoo Kickr Bike setup for cyclists
Wear comfortable workout clothes
Wear athletic shoes (for walking, running, or cycling)

Clinical trials

Our doctors are committed to being leaders in cardiovascular research, working to help improve how we diagnose and treat heart and vascular diseases. You can talk to your cardiologist if you are interested in participating in clinical trials.

How to get care

stethoscope

If you are interested in VO₂ max testing, call 918-744-2812 to schedule a test and to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kacere after their results.

If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or call 911.

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