Measuring VO2 max

[Sports Science Editor]

Accurately measuring VO2 max involves a physical effort sufficient in duration and intensity to fully tax the aerobic energy system. In general clinical and athletic testing, this usually involves a graded exercise test (either on a treadmill or on a cycle ergometer) in which exercise intensity is progressively increased while measuring ventilation and oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration of the inhaled and exhaled air. VO2 max is reached when oxygen consumption remains at steady state despite an increase in workload.

Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) is widely accepted as the single best measure of cardiovascular fitness and maximal aerobic power. Absolute values of VO2max are typically 40-60% higher in men than in women.

The average young untrained male will have a VO2 max of approximately 3.5 litres/minute and 45 ml/kg/min. The average young untrained female will score a VO2 max of approximately 2.0 litres/minute and 38 ml/kg/min. These scores can improve with training and decrease with age, though the degree of trainability also varies very widely: conditioning may double VO2max in some individuals, and will never improve it at all in others.

In sports where endurance is an important component in performance, such as cycling, swimming and running, world class athletes typically have high VO2 maximums. World class male athletes and cyclists typically exceed 75 ml/kg/min and a rare few may exceed 85 ml/kg/min for men and 70 ml/kg/min for women. Five time Tour de France winner Miguel Indurain is reported to have had a VO2 max of 88.0 at his peak. By comparison a competitive club athlete might achieve a VO2 max of around 70 ml/kg/min.

Click here to read more about VO2 and check out the video below for an example of what's involved.

[emil m. domingo]

very educational,is there any alternative and very simple way to measuer vo2max?

[Sports Science Editor]

Afraid to be reliable you do really need to do this in a proper controlled lab test. One piece of advice - Try approaching your local sportrts university/lab or look out for sports science students who are looking for people to be part of their PHD trials etc - they'll often give you a VO2 max test for free in lieu for agreeing to take part. That's how I did my last one and the data's invaluable.

[emil m. domingo]

thank you...