Porsche Human Performance use state of the art laboratory testing equipment and testing protocols to assess your own, individual sport specific fitness profile. An assessment allows us to take a snapshot of your current level of fitness in a controlled environment which allows for the determination of your unique physiology, and how it responds to exercise. With this knowledge, specific training zones are calculated and when incorporated into a training plan will create the maximum training effect in the shortest time. The Porsche Human Performance staff have competed at an international level in triathlon, Xterra and adventure racing. We can cater for triathletes, runners, cyclists (road, time trial and mountain bike), adventure and team sport players.

Each assessment follows a tightly controlled progressive protocol where heart rate, blood lactate and perceived exertion are measured. This allows for the precise determination of your unique physiological response to progressive intensity exercise. Each test has two main aims:

1. To determine heart rate training zones, allowing you or your coach to accurately prescribe training intensity
2. To monitor performance levels and therefore track fitness progressions, evaluating the effectiveness of your training strategy

All testing can be performed using the most appropriate mode of exercise for you. For example runners will be tested on the Technogym Excite Med Treadmill, rowers on a Concept 2 machine and cyclists on an SRM equipped ergometer.

Each assessment, whether it is running, cycling or rowing will follow a progressive protocol. You will start at a low intensity, and every three minutes the intensity will increase. The idea is to complete as many stages as possible, continuing to fatigue. Typically a test is expected to last between 15 and 24 minutes.

Fingertip blood samples are collected and analysed for lactic acid concentration at the end of each three minute increment, and our Sport Scientists also monitor changes in heart rate and ratings of perceived exertion. As exercise intensity increases, key physiological points (aerobic and lactate thresholds) are determined from the lactate data. The intensity at which these thresholds occur are the most important physiological measures of your endurance capacity. Your thresholds are correlated with heart rate data and used to establish appropriate training zone intensities specifically for you. We produce six different training zones, which each designed to produce a specific adaptation. Once we are armed with the knowledge of your own individual physiology, we can develop specific training plans to create the maximum training effect in the shortest time.

A triathlon assessment combines a cycling lactate threshold test and a running lactate threshold test. Both tests assess how your body responds to progressive exercise, and allows for the determination of specific training zones. Doing both a cycling and running assessment is highly recommended for multisport athletes as heart rate training zones can be very different for different sports.

Firstly, the cycling test is performed on an SRM crank equipped bike with the power that you are required to cycle at being increased every three minutes. You start off at a speed that is gentle, and this increases by 25 watts as you progress onto each stage. The idea is to complete as many stages as possible, continuing to fatigue. Typically a test is expected to last between 15 and 24 minutes. Fingertip blood samples are collected and analysed for lactic acid concentration at the end of each three minute increment, and our Sport Scientists also monitor changes in heart rate and ratings of perceived exertion. As exercise intensity increases, key physiological points (aerobic and lactate thresholds) are determined from the lactate data. The intensity at which these thresholds occur are the most important physiological measures of your endurance capacity. Your thresholds are correlated with heart rate data and used to establish appropriate training zone intensities specifically for you.

You are given an hour long rest before completing the running lactate threshold test. It follows the same format as the cycling test but is performed on a treadmill with the speed that you are required to run at being increased every three minutes. You start off at a speed that is gentle, and this increases by 1km/h as you progress onto each stage. Porsche Human Performance produce six different training zones, each of which is designed to produce a specific adaptation. Once we are armed with the knowledge of your own individual physiology, we can develop specific training plans to create the maximum training effect in the shortest time.

Costs
Single Sport Assessment (Running, cycling or rowing)	£195
Multisport Assessment (bike and run for triathlon)	£295

For more information please contact us.