The fitness testing services at the Pajulahti campus can be divided into three main categories: endurance testing, strength and speed testing, and health fitness testing. Endurance testing at Pajulahti is managed by Juha Sorvisto and Ibai Mendia. Strength and speed testing, including performance testing for team sports, is overseen by Nikke Vilmi and Eero-Pakka Auvinen.
Health fitness testing services are available through our sales team.
Endurance testing at the Pajulahti campus is overseen by two exercise physiologists, Juha Sorvisto and Ibai Mendia. The testing methods typically consist of maximal direct or indirect tests with lactate monitoring. Our clients are usually athletes or goal-oriented competitive fitness enthusiasts seeking information on appropriate heart rate and endurance training zones, maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max), exercise economy, and/or carbohydrate and fat metabolism. We offer a range of endurance fitness tests designed to help you improve the quality and effectiveness of your training. To ensure testing safety, any health-related risk factors must be disclosed to the testing staff at the time of booking, or prior to the test in the event of acute symptoms. These include cardiovascular, respiratory, or metabolic diseases or symptoms, acute infections, and risk factors associated with coronary artery disease.
Contact us, and we will help you choose the test that best suits your goals and needs.
Our endurance testing service runs on weekdays between 8.30– 16.00. After 16.00 on weekdays, and on Saturdays, we only serve large groups, with prices according to agreement. No endurance testing is offered on Sundays. To make a reservation, please contact either Juha or Ibai by email or phone (contact information can be found below). Upon booking, you will receive preparation and arrival instructions for the test by email. Payment for the test service can be made after the test by bank card, mobile payment, cash, with fitness benefits (Smartum, Epassi, Edenred), or through the online store. You may also purchase a gift card in advance from the online store if you wish. Invoicing is also possible with an invoicing fee.
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Below you will find our most popular endurance testing services. Our full range of tests is available in the testing price list.
A test performed with respiratory gas analysis is the only method for accurately determining maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max). The test also identifies the key endurance performance thresholds (aerobic and anaerobic threshold) and the corresponding heart rate training zones.
Who is it for? Athletes and goal-oriented competitive fitness enthusiasts.
How is the test performed? Depending on your sport background, the test is performed by running, Nordic walking, or cycling, either on a cycle ergometer or using your own bicycle mounted on our trainer (compatibility between your bike and the trainer must be confirmed when booking). The test follows an incremental protocol, where workload or speed is increased every three minutes until exhaustion. Throughout the test, heart rate and respiratory gas responses are continuously monitored and recorded. At the end of each three-minute stage, a fingertip blood sample is taken to measure blood lactate concentration. These measurements are used to determine the aerobic and anaerobic thresholds. Metabolic changes in respiratory responses can also be identified through breath-by-breath gas analysis, allowing the determination of ventilatory thresholds. The test itself typically lasts 20–30 minutes. If you are interested in using a mixing chamber method instead of breath-by-breath analysis, please contact us for more information.
Comprehensive Feedback Included! The service includes both the test and detailed verbal and written feedback. The results report covers: maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max), maximum performance level achieved, aerobic and anaerobic threshold values (speed/power output/performance level) and Individual heart rate training zones for endurance training. During the feedback session, key endurance-training concepts are explained, and you will receive practical guidance on how to apply the results to your training.
The threshold test uses the same exercise protocol as the direct VO₂max test, but is performed without respiratory gas analysis. The primary purpose of the test is to determine the key endurance performance thresholds (aerobic and anaerobic threshold) and the corresponding heart rate training zones.
Who is it for? The test is suitable for athletes and goal-oriented competitive fitness enthusiasts, as well as recreational exercisers who want to determine their threshold levels. It has a wide range of applications and is suitable for runners, cross-country skiers, swimmers, cyclists, triathletes, and anyone interested in improving their endurance performance.
How is the test performed? The threshold test can be carried out in a swimming pool, on a cycle ergometer, or on a treadmill by running or Nordic walking. Regardless of the testing method, the basic principle remains the same: exercise intensity or speed is increased progressively until exhaustion. During the test, fingertip blood samples are taken at regular intervals to measure blood lactate concentration. Heart rate is continuously recorded throughout the test. Based on the relationship between workload, speed, lactate levels, and heart rate, individual heart rate zones as well as threshold speeds and power outputs are determined.
Comprehensive Feedback Included! The service includes both verbal and written feedback. The test report provides information on: maximum performance achieved during the test, aerobic and anaerobic threshold levels (speed/power output/performance level) and individual heart rate training zones for endurance training. During the feedback session, key endurance-training concepts are explained, and you will receive practical guidance on how to apply the results to your training.
Who is it for? Track-based lactate threshold test is designed for endurance athletes and recreational runners who have goals in running events or sports such as orienteering. It is an excellent way to determine appropriate training intensities for running and to monitor the development of endurance performance over time. The test is conducted as a group assessment, and participants outside your own training group may be included in the same testing session. Typically, 2–6 participants are tested simultaneously, and multiple groups can be scheduled consecutively. Larger groups are therefore also welcome!
How is the test performed? The test is conducted on the indoor running track at the Pajulahti Sports Hall, following a light pacer system. Participants complete 5–8 × 1000 m intervals at progressively increasing speeds. A fingertip blood sample is taken between each interval to measure blood lactate concentration. Running speeds are individually adjusted according to each participant's fitness level. Heart rate and running times are continuously recorded throughout the test. Based on running pace, lactate measurements, and heart rate data, individual heart rate zones and threshold paces are determined to support effective endurance training.
Comprehensive Feedback Included! The service includes a written test report that provides information on: aerobic and anaerobic threshold paces, individual heart rate zones for endurance training and theoretical maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) (running tests only)
Swimming tests are conducted with a minimum of two participants and take place in Pajulahti’s 25-meter swimming pool. The test consists of 6–10 × 100 m or 200 m swims at progressively increasing speeds.
Between each repetition, a fingertip blood sample is taken to measure blood lactate concentration. In addition, stroke rate and stroke length are analyzed. The swimming test is primarily intended for competitive swimmers, as successful performance requires good pace awareness and the ability to maintain an even pace at several different intensity levels. NEW! To assist with pacing, we use the Finis Tempo Trainer Pro -device, which provides audible signals under the swimmer’s cap at each turn.
Comprehensive Feedback Included! The service includes a written test report that provides information on: aerobic and anaerobic threshold speeds and individual heart rate zones for endurance training.
Strength and speed testing at Pajulahti is overseen by Nikke Vilmi and Eero-Pekka Auvinen. We serve athletes from a wide range of sports by offering services such as competition analysis, strength testing (jump testing using force plates, power measurements in barbell exercises, and isometric strength testing), speed testing with a photocells, gait analysis using a photocell mat, and anaerobic performance testing with a light pacing system. For team sports performance testing, we help coaches and teams build the most suitable and practical testing package from our range of tests. For example, football testing packages start from 400 € per team, although the final price depends on the selected test package and team size. Depending on the contents of the testing package, testing may be carried out by Nikke, Eero-Pekka, our endurance testing team, and/or our sports and physical education students. Pajulahti is equipped with a variety of testing equipment that enables the accurate and reliable assessment of strength, speed, and other physical performance characteristics.
Anaerobic performance tests include assessments such as the MART test and interval-based tests (e.g., 3 × 3 × 300 m), which can be used to evaluate neuromuscular performance capacity in endurance athletes as well as anaerobic capacity, power output, and efficiency in speed-endurance athletes.
Gait and stride analysis is suitable for sprinters, endurance runners, long jumpers, and triple jumpers as a sport-specific assessment. Using timing gates and a photocell mat, the test measures not only running speed but also variables such as step length, step frequency, ground contact time, flight time, and potential asymmetries between the left and right side.
We offer technical performance analysis for track and field events using high-speed video cameras supplemented with expert feedback and commentary.
We offer a variety of strength assessments, including: jump testing with force plates, power measurements during barbell exercises and isometric strength testing.
A typical one-day testing package may include:
These testing packages can be tailored to the specific needs of the team and sport.
We offer a wide range of fitness assessments for physically active individuals, recreational exercisers and fitness enthusiast. Following the assessment, you will receive clear feedback and practical recommendations to support your training and fitness goals.
Feel free to contact us for more information, contact details can be found further of the page!
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