Metabolic Mastery

Ep. 55 - The RMR Test Mistakes Everyone Makes (And How Bad Breathing Ruins Your Metabolic Data)

Get A Demo: https://korr.com/contact/video-demo/ In this episode of Metabolic Mastery, hosts Dr. Marc Humbert and Cameron Garber sit down with Daniel Crumback — KORR's Director of International Sales, certified exercise physiologist, chartered physiotherapist, and certified strength and conditioning coach — for a deep dive into one of the most overlooked data sets in metabolic testing: respiratory values. While most practitioners stop at VO2 max or basic metabolic markers, Daniel reveals how tidal volume, breathing frequency, and lung function norms can expose performance limiters that no one else is talking about. From RMR test quality issues caused by over-breathing, to identifying whether an athlete has a respiratory capacity or capability problem, this episode is packed with clinical insight and real-world testing examples. You Will Learn: * Why most RMR tests produce invalid data — and how breathing pattern is usually the culprit * What normal tidal volume and respiratory frequency look like at rest and across all training zones * How to use the GLI (Global Lung Function Initiative) calculator to establish personalized respiratory norms * How to calculate peak tidal volume as a percentage of predicted FEV1 to identify respiratory limitation * Why VE (minute ventilation) masks serious breathing problems that individual respiratory values reveal * How hyperventilation impairs oxygen delivery, cardiovascular output, core stability, and decision-making * The difference between a respiratory capacity limitation vs. a capability limitation — and why the training response is completely different * How recovery data after an exercise test reveals critical information about breathing patterns * Why you should never remove the mask at the end of a test — and what that post-effort data tells you * Practical strategies for improving test quality and helping clients breathe normally during RMR testing Follow KORR: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/korrmedical/ [https://www.instagram.com/korrmedical/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/korrmedical/ [https://www.facebook.com/korrmedical/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/korrmedical [https://www.linkedin.com/company/korrmedical] https://korr.com/ [https://korr.com/] Listen to the Metabolic Mastery Podcast: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/metabolic-mastery/id1812972674 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/metabolic-mastery/id1812972674] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2sgLMFv1Z8DwEz87yUpapI?si=29a177a6c6ca4ed4 [https://open.spotify.com/show/2sgLMFv1Z8DwEz87yUpapI?si=29a177a6c6ca4ed4] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@korrmed/podcasts [https://www.youtube.com/@korrmed/podcasts] YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVCRWXBDdFo_S0OeaAsPv8xTnfajTLc75&si=d4wVUA0jqajkbukB [https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVCRWXBDdFo_S0OeaAsPv8xTnfajTLc75&si=d4wVUA0jqajkbukB] Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d76834b7-c11a-485f-8010-32b490d49e57/metabolic-mastery [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d76834b7-c11a-485f-8010-32b490d49e57/metabolic-mastery]

Ep. 54 - Choosing Correct Protocols for Bikes, Treadmills, and Other Equipment

Get A The Protocol Guide: https://korr.com/go/metabolic-testing-protocol-guide/ Ever wonder why a client's VO2 max result seems "off" — or why two tests on the same person produce wildly different numbers? The answer almost always comes down to protocol design. In this episode of Metabolic Mastery, Dr. Marc Humbert and Dr. Cameron Garber walk through a practical, step-by-step algorithm for choosing the right metabolic testing protocol for every type of client — from the completely deconditioned to the elite competitor. You Will Learn: * The single most important principle in metabolic testing: how to "test what you intend to measure" * How to assess a client's fitness history and goals to determine the right testing mode (cycling, treadmill, rowing, hiking, and more) * Why protocol choice directly impacts the accuracy of VO2 max, heart rate zones, and substrate utilization data * A watt-by-watt breakdown of cycling protocol progressions (10W to 30W increments) matched to fitness level and gender * Treadmill protocol design for walkers, joggers, runners, ruckers, and elite athletes — including how to handle the "awkward zone" between walking and jogging * When and how to run a submaximal test safely, and how the CardioCoach extrapolates VO2 max from incomplete efforts * How to adjust protocols on the fly without compromising your data * Why standardizing your decision-making process (not your protocol) is the key to consistent, comparable results across retests * Equipment considerations — why walking pads fall short and what treadmill specs actually matter * How strength training history informs both protocol design and exercise prescription Whether you're just starting out with metabolic testing or looking to tighten up your workflow, this episode gives you a repeatable framework you can apply immediately with any client. Follow KORR: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/korrmedical/ [https://www.instagram.com/korrmedical/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/korrmedical/ [https://www.facebook.com/korrmedical/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/korrmedical [https://www.linkedin.com/company/korrmedical] https://korr.com/ [https://korr.com/] Listen to the Metabolic Mastery Podcast: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/metabolic-mastery/id1812972674 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/metabolic-mastery/id1812972674] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2sgLMFv1Z8DwEz87yUpapI?si=29a177a6c6ca4ed4 [https://open.spotify.com/show/2sgLMFv1Z8DwEz87yUpapI?si=29a177a6c6ca4ed4] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@korrmed/podcasts [https://www.youtube.com/@korrmed/podcasts] YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVCRWXBDdFo_S0OeaAsPv8xTnfajTLc75&si=d4wVUA0jqajkbukB [https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVCRWXBDdFo_S0OeaAsPv8xTnfajTLc75&si=d4wVUA0jqajkbukB] Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d76834b7-c11a-485f-8010-32b490d49e57/metabolic-mastery [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d76834b7-c11a-485f-8010-32b490d49e57/metabolic-mastery]

Ep. 53 - Submax vs. Max VO2 Testing: How to Design the Right Protocol for Every Client

Get A Demo: https://korr.com/contact/video-demo/ In this episode of Metabolic Mastery, Dr. Marc Humbert and Dr. Cameron Garber break down one of the most commonly misunderstood areas of exercise physiology testing: how to properly design submaximal and maximal VO2 tests. Whether you're working with elite athletes, deconditioned beginners, firefighters, or everyone in between, the best test isn't the hardest one — it's the one designed to measure exactly what you need to know. Marc and Cameron walk through equipment selection, protocol design, test length, and the critical indicators that confirm a true VO2 max has been reached. They also explore why calling it "exercise metabolic testing" rather than "VO2 max testing" opens the door to richer, more actionable clinical data — including fat oxidation, lactate thresholds, energy system analysis, and more. You'll Learn: * Why "test what you intend to measure" should guide every protocol decision * How to choose the right exercise modality (treadmill, cycle, rucksack, and more) based on your client's primary activity * The ideal test length range and how to avoid peripheral fatigue skewing your results * Key indicators of a true VO2 max: VO2 plateau, RER thresholds, RPE, and age-predicted heart rate percentage * The difference between VO2 max and VO2 peak — and why it matters clinically * When submaximal testing is the smarter (and safer) choice * How the Cardio Coach enables extrapolated VO2 max from submaximal data — and its limitations * Pre-participation screening tools like the PAR-Q and how they shape your test design * Why VO2 max alone doesn't tell the whole performance story Follow KORR: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/korrmedical/ [https://www.instagram.com/korrmedical/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/korrmedical/ [https://www.facebook.com/korrmedical/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/korrmedical [https://www.linkedin.com/company/korrmedical] https://korr.com/ [https://korr.com/] Listen to the Metabolic Mastery Podcast: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/metabolic-mastery/id1812972674 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/metabolic-mastery/id1812972674] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2sgLMFv1Z8DwEz87yUpapI?si=29a177a6c6ca4ed4 [https://open.spotify.com/show/2sgLMFv1Z8DwEz87yUpapI?si=29a177a6c6ca4ed4] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@korrmed/podcasts [https://www.youtube.com/@korrmed/podcasts] YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVCRWXBDdFo_S0OeaAsPv8xTnfajTLc75&si=d4wVUA0jqajkbukB [https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVCRWXBDdFo_S0OeaAsPv8xTnfajTLc75&si=d4wVUA0jqajkbukB] Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d76834b7-c11a-485f-8010-32b490d49e57/metabolic-mastery [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d76834b7-c11a-485f-8010-32b490d49e57/metabolic-mastery]

Ep. 52 - Starting Where You Are: Exercise Programming for Obese and Deconditioned Patients

Get A Demo: https://korr.com/contact/video-demo/ Most patients know they should exercise — but knowing and doing are two very different things. In this episode of Metabolic Mastery, Dr. Marc Humbert and Dr. Cameron Garber tackle one of the most overlooked areas in obesity medicine: exercise prescription for patients who are just starting their fitness journey. Drawing on insights from the OMA (Obesity Medicine Association) conference, they break down why generic exercise advice fails, how providers can think about movement as a titratable prescription, and why the frequency → duration → intensity framework is the key to sustainable progress without burnout or injury. You'll Learn: * Why most exercise programs fail deconditioned patients — and what to do differently * The frequency → duration → intensity framework for building lasting exercise habits * How to think about "minimum effective dose" when prescribing movement * Why exhaustion is not the same as effectiveness * How VO2 max and submaximal testing can guide exercise prescription for obese patients * The role of progressive overload — and how to explain it to patients * How to identify and work around gym intimidation, joint pain, and fear of movement * Why non-scale victories matter and how to use them to build patient motivation * How to connect exercise to patients' personal goals (grandkids, horses, basketball) for real buy-in * How providers with limited time can still make a meaningful difference through referral networks and the right questions Follow KORR: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/korrmedical/ [https://www.instagram.com/korrmedical/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/korrmedical/ [https://www.facebook.com/korrmedical/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/korrmedical [https://www.linkedin.com/company/korrmedical] https://korr.com/ [https://korr.com/] Listen to the Metabolic Mastery Podcast: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/metabolic-mastery/id1812972674 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/metabolic-mastery/id1812972674] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2sgLMFv1Z8DwEz87yUpapI?si=29a177a6c6ca4ed4 [https://open.spotify.com/show/2sgLMFv1Z8DwEz87yUpapI?si=29a177a6c6ca4ed4] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@korrmed/podcasts [https://www.youtube.com/@korrmed/podcasts] YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVCRWXBDdFo_S0OeaAsPv8xTnfajTLc75&si=d4wVUA0jqajkbukB [https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVCRWXBDdFo_S0OeaAsPv8xTnfajTLc75&si=d4wVUA0jqajkbukB] Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d76834b7-c11a-485f-8010-32b490d49e57/metabolic-mastery [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d76834b7-c11a-485f-8010-32b490d49e57/metabolic-mastery]

Ep. 51 - Beyond Willpower: The Real Science Behind Obesity and Lasting Weight Loss

Get A Demo: https://korr.com/contact/video-demo/ Obesity is one of the most misunderstood public health crises of our time — and for decades, we've been getting the conversation wrong. In this episode of Metabolic Mastery, Dr. Marc Humbert and Dr. Cameron Garber take a deep, honest look at why blaming individuals for obesity ignores the biological, social, and environmental forces stacked against them. From the Minnesota Starvation Experiment to walkable European cities, from hunger hormones to hyper-palatable processed foods, Marc and Cameron break down the real science of why our bodies resist weight loss — and what we can actually do about it. They also clarify some of the most commonly confused terms in the fitness world: fat oxidation, fat burn, fat loss, and weight loss — and why mixing them up leads people to the wrong conclusions. You Will Learn: * Why obesity is a public health issue and an individual challenge — and why the answer is always "both" * The biological mechanisms (hunger hormones, metabolic adaptation) that make weight loss genuinely hard * The critical differences between fat oxidation, fat burn, fat loss, and weight loss * Why lean mass is not the same as muscle — and what "fat-free mass" actually means * How sleep, stress, hormones, and movement are just as important as diet in managing body weight * Why slow, steady weight loss preserves muscle and leads to better long-term outcomes * How GLP-1 medications work as a tool to "put on glasses" and restore food choice clarity * How community design, zoning laws, and food environments shape our health decisions * Why metabolic testing (RMR + VO2 max) is a vital sign that should be part of every annual checkup * How the Cardio Coach helps individualize exercise and nutrition programming for real people Follow KORR: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/korrmedical/ [https://www.instagram.com/korrmedical/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/korrmedical/ [https://www.facebook.com/korrmedical/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/korrmedical [https://www.linkedin.com/company/korrmedical] https://korr.com/ [https://korr.com/] Listen to the Metabolic Mastery Podcast: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/metabolic-mastery/id1812972674 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/metabolic-mastery/id1812972674] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2sgLMFv1Z8DwEz87yUpapI?si=29a177a6c6ca4ed4 [https://open.spotify.com/show/2sgLMFv1Z8DwEz87yUpapI?si=29a177a6c6ca4ed4] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@korrmed/podcasts [https://www.youtube.com/@korrmed/podcasts] YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVCRWXBDdFo_S0OeaAsPv8xTnfajTLc75&si=d4wVUA0jqajkbukB [https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVCRWXBDdFo_S0OeaAsPv8xTnfajTLc75&si=d4wVUA0jqajkbukB] Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d76834b7-c11a-485f-8010-32b490d49e57/metabolic-mastery [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d76834b7-c11a-485f-8010-32b490d49e57/metabolic-mastery]