Calahan Warren will graduate this spring with a degree in Aerospace Physiology after concluding an illustrious career with the cross country and track & field teams. Warren, who was named ERAU’s Male Student-Athlete of the Year in 2018-19 and holds the school records for the indoor and outdoor Mile and indoor 3000m, recently completed his final research presentation on the subject of VO2max Determination. Warren took some time to share some details and answer some questions on his project:

Can you tell us about the project?

The study was basically a comparison between two different methods (GXT protocols) for determining VO2max in collegiate cross country runners. I was planning to use what's known as a verification test right after the VO2max test to determine which method was the best for determining VO2max. I was going to randomly assign those on the XC team wishing to participate in the study one of the two GXT protocols (GXT just means graded exercise test). Unfortunately, I did not get to do a lot of the testing I would have liked to due to the COVID-19 situation. This resulted in a more theoretical approach to the research.

What was your role with the project?

My role during this study was as the primary investigator and really the only designer and experimenter. My mentor for the project was Dr. Alesha Fleming, D.C. She is a professor of Anatomy & Physiology, Behavioral Neuroscience, and Biology here at Embry-Riddle, as well as a chiropractor with her own business in Port Orange. 

What possible impact(s) could the results/findings have in the real world?

These tests would have given my coaches a more accurate measure of each of the cross country runner's VO2max, as well as the most appropriate way to test them again in the future. This would result in being able to more easily design workouts tailored to each of the individual runners on the team.

Is this an area you’d like to pursue after graduating from Embry-Riddle?

I have actually been accepted to two different graduate programs for this type of stuff. One is Western Washington University, where the program is M.S. in Kinesiology. The other is Western Colorado University, where the program is M.S. in High Altitude Exercise Physiology. I plan on deciding between the two soon and starting my graduate program this upcoming fall semester.

What was the most surprising thing you learned during the course of the project?

The most surprising thing I learned while doing this project was how many variable testing methods there are out there, all for doing the same thing--finding VO2max. This is why I wanted to compare a couple of them, as there has been no clear consensus by researchers on the one "best method" of finding VO2max.