Performance Tests | Sports Medicine | UC Davis Health

Train smarter and maximize your potential

Enhance Your Performance with Our Comprehensive Testing Services

At UC Davis Sports Medicine’s Sports Performance and Wellness Lab, we offer medical-grade performance testing for athletes and fitness enthusiasts of all levels.
All assessments can be performed while cycling, running, uphill hiking, or rowing. Each initial session includes a comprehensive analysis of your physiological data and a personalized training consultation.

To help you monitor your progress, we also offer discounted repeat testing. Each follow-up includes a fresh data comparison, detailed interpretation, and training recommendations.

VO2max and Ventilatory Threshold Testing

Pricing

Initial Evaluation: $150
Subsequent Tests: $125

Overview

Our VO2max test is the cornerstone of endurance performance evaluation. It measures your maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), the major indicator of aerobic fitness, and identifies your first (VT1) and second (VT2) ventilatory thresholds, also known as the aerobic and anaerobic thresholds.

What You’ll Learn

• Aerobic capacity (VO2max): Your body’s maximum ability to use oxygen.
• Training zones: Heart rate, pace, and power zones precisely tailored to your physiology.
• Performance insights: Learn how long you can sustain aerobic efforts before shifting into anaerobic metabolism.

Ideal For: Anyone seeking to improve cardiovascular performance.  Also, highly correlated with healthspan and longevity

Lactate Profile Testing

Pricing

Initial Evaluation: $150
Subsequent Tests: $125

Overview

Our Lactate Profile Test is considered the gold standard for endurance performance. By measuring the rise in blood lactate across progressive workloads, we identify your lactate thresholds (LT1 and LT2)—the most powerful predictor of endurance success in events like marathons, triathlons, and cycling time trials.

What You’ll Learn

• Precise lactate thresholds for pacing and endurance training.
• Customized training zones based on heart rate, power, or speed.
• Benchmark data to measure adaptation and fitness gains over time.

Ideal For: Competitive athletes, endurance coaches, and data-driven fitness enthusiasts looking to refine training precision and performance outcomes.

Metabolic Efficiency with Lactate Testing

Pricing:

Initial Evaluation: $230
Subsequent Tests: $165

Overview

The Metabolic Efficiency with Lactate Test combines oxygen consumption and lactate analysis for a complete picture of endurance metabolism.  It accurately identifies your Zone 2,  FatMAX point (the intensity at which fat oxidation is maximized) and your metabolic crossover—the point where carbohydrate use begins to dominate energy production. The addition of lactate measurements to the metabolic data allows for a double layer of interpretation and insight into the Zone1 - Zone 2 transition.

What You’ll Learn

• Metabolic efficiency/metabolic flexibility: How effectively you burn fat vs. carbohydrates at varying intensities, including your FatMAX and crossover point. 
• Fueling strategies: Optimize in-race nutrition and carb replenishment for long-distance events.
• Endurance thresholds: Identify the pace and power levels that maximize efficiency and delay fatigue. This is our most accurate test for investigating Zone 2.

Ideal For: Ultra-runners, long-course triathletes, mountaineers, cyclists, and anyone seeking to improve endurance economy and metabolic flexibility.

Exercise Metabolism Testing

Pricing:

Initial Evaluation: $165
Subsequent Tests: $135

Overview
The Exercise Metabolism Test evaluates your energy expenditure and substrate utilization (fat vs. carbohydrate) at progressive intensities. It helps pinpoint your Zone 2 training range—the foundation for metabolic health, fat oxidation, and endurance base building.

What You’ll Learn

• Metabolic flexibility: Understand how efficiently your body transitions between fat and carbohydrate use.
• FatMAX point: Identify your optimal endurance training intensity.
• Caloric expenditure: Determine total calories burned at various intensities.

Ideal For: Individuals focused on longevity, metabolic health, and performance optimization—whether training for competition or improving general fitness.