Elite VO₂ Max Testing for Athletes with COSMED Quark CPET at University of Otago
Experience how the COSMED Quark CPET, one of the most accurate and reliable cardiopulmonary exercise testing systems on the market, is used to measure VO₂ max in real athletic performance settings.
In this video, we join the The University of Otago’s Sport & Exercise (SPEX) department as they host a full VO₂ max testing session.
Two athletes step up for the challenge: Rebecca Aken, three-time New Zealand national champion and national record holder, and Brier Burdenshaw, currently preparing for the Crusader Series. Guided by staff and students from the SPEX course, the athletes undergo a complete incremental VO₂ max test using the COSMED Quark CPET, a gold-standard metabolic system used worldwide in sport science, research, and clinical environments.
The test measures:
- Oxygen uptake (VO₂)
- Carbon dioxide production (VCO₂)
- Respiratory Exchange Ratio (RER)
- Heart rate responses
- Fuel utilization (fats vs. carbohydrates)
- Exercise intensity and perceived exertion
Step by step, you’ll see how the Quark CPET captures real-time breath-by-breath metabolic data to determine each athlete’s maximal aerobic capacity, training zones, and physiological thresholds.
From nervous anticipation to pushing through the final seconds of the test, the video shows the full experience. The athletes walk away with detailed, accurate performance insights they can apply directly to their training.
Discover more about Quark CPET several built in features!
[ Video credits: Compound YouTube Official Channel ]
