Analyser to measure VO2 max (endurance ability)

The NWU Mafikeng Campus acquired a state of the art VO2 max analyser that will assist in examining an athlete's aerobic exercise capacity. The research will mainly be focussed on the players at the Soccer Institute and rural schools in and around Mafikeng. However, any athlete, from any discipline is welcome to be tested.

The research team is particularly interested to perform many such tests and subsequent intervention programs in the rural villages around Mmabatho.

The analyser, imported from Italy, was funded by the Institutional Research Support office and will be used by the Sport Science department in the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences under the supervision of Mr Pieter Boer.

VO2 is the maximum rate of oxygen consumption by a human being during maximal exercise, normally performed on a treadmill and reflects the physical fitness of the person. In measuring the soccer players endurance capacity will give an indication how they will perform during competitions.

"It is the first time our soccer players will have access to scientific exercise testing. They can now be tested, trained and monitored accordingly," said Mr Boer.