Take it to the VO2 max.

On the 3rd of July I was lucky enough to work very closely with some of the Saints players. If you don't know, every year before pre season Southampton FC come into Solent University to make use of the professional equipment we have in the physiology labs. As well as their own in-club tests with the staff, the players undertake a VO2 max test on the treadmill. VO2 measures the maximal oxygen intake of the player whilst the speed of the exercise is increased over time. This will give coaches a reflection of the individuals current physical fitness after the off-season which will therefore give them an indication of what level they are at fitness wise. As part of a Sports Science based course, I was able to volunteer my services for the day and assist in various roles.

The treadmill, in this test, starts at a speed of 10km per hour and then increases by 1km every 2 minutes. During the testing, one of the testers (either myself or another volunteer) will communicate with the player and get a RPE score from him. This is their 'Rate of Perceived Exhaustion' and is meant to emulate their heart rate, running from 6-20 (60-200 beats per minute). Ideally, they should be hitting the 20 mark when they can't physically run any further.

6 - 20% effort

7 - 30% effort - Very, very light

8 - 40% effort

9 - 50% effort - Very light

10 - 55% effort

11 - 60% effort - Fairly light

12 - 65% effort

13 - 70% effort - Somewhat hard

14 - 75% effort

15 - 80% effort - Hard

16 - 85% effort

17 - 90% effort - Very hard

18 - 95% effort

19 - 100% effort - Very, very hard

20 - Exhaustion

As well as collecting RPE data, we were also taking blood lactate readings every 2 minutes. The players would be asked to 'straddle' the treadmill for 30 seconds before continuing the test. The lactate readings allow us the identify an athletes optimal running speed and how easily they can resist fatigue as the speed increases.

Lactate Pro Analyser RRP: £495

Results wise, most players were hitting the 18km mark. However, the stand outs had to be Jay Rodriguez and Jack Cork who both pushed it to a massive 20km which is some effort!

This was a fantastic experience for me and it was made even better with the fact it were Saints players involved. It was weird to for once be working with them as opposed to just being a supporter that's harping on for a photo or an autograph. It may not have looked it at times in some of the videos on SaintsPlayer but there was such a calm atmosphere. I was able to just casually talk to them about anything and everything; from Mayuka's trip to Tel Aviv to how Morgan used to prepare for a new season back in France, stating that this was a whole new level of intensity to him compared to in France where a mere leg press machine was used. 

We also measured resting heart rate of the players. 

Emmanuel Mayuka: 47bpm. Take. A. Bow.

However, pre season is far from over. But with the incredibly intricate feed from the media staff at Saints we will know every step of the way. Whether this be a shot of Nathaniel Clyne's ever improving golf swing or Adam Lallana's nostrils!

Hasta Pronto x