VO2 Max.
The new standard in cardiovascular health.

VO2 Max is the measurement of the maximum amount of oxygen a person can utilize during intense exercise. It is generally regarded as the best indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness. We offer a TRUE VO2 Max Test as standard for all of our first responder health assessments. A TRUE VO2 Max Test, where the participant wears a mask to measure their actual oxygen intake, has been found to be much more accurate than a standard VO2 Max Calculation.

We couple our TRUE VO2 Max Test with a 12 Lead EKG Treadmill Stress Test. To get the best picture of your cardiac health, we conduct the stress test utilizing the Wellness Fitness Initiative (WFI) protocol and run it to maximal volition. In the most recent update for firefighter fitness, NFPA 1582 recommends using the WFI Protocol during the treadmill stress test over the outdated “Bruce Protocol.”

The WFI Treadmill Protocol and WFI Stepmill Protocol were specifically developed and validated to evaluate the sub-maximal aerobic capacity of members.

After continued evaluation and research by the IAFF/IAFC Wellness-Fitness Initiative's technical experts, it was determined that significant errors were occurring when past protocols were applied to a population that has different characteristics from those for which the evaluation was developed. For this reason, the Bruce and Balke Treadmill Protocols were removed as evaluation protocols and as a means to collect data. Both were specifically tailored for less-fit populations to determine cardiovascular pathology and thus proved to be less accurate protocols for the general members population. -NFPA 1582 (2018)

While a TRUE VO2 Max Test is not required in the NFPA 1582 standard, this is an example of how we not only meet, but exceed that standard.