VO₂ max is defined as the highest rate at which oxygen can be taken up and utilized during exercise by a person. (The derivation is V̇ - volume per time, O₂ - oxygen, max - maximum. also called maximal oxygen consumption or maximal oxygen uptake). Expressed either as an absolute rate in litres of oxygen per minute (l/min) or as a relative rate in millilitres of oxygen per kilogram of bodyweight per minute (ml/kg/min), the latter expression is often used to compare the performance of endurance sports athletes.

Accurately measuring V̇O₂ max involves a ramp test (either on a treadmill or on a cycloergometer) in which exercise intensity is progressively increased until exhaustion while measuring the rate and oxygen concentration of the inhaled and exhaled air.

Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper conducted a study for the United States Air Force in the late 1960s. One of the results of this was the Cooper test in which the distance covered running in 12 minutes is measured. An approximate estimate for VO₂ max is:

VO₂ max = (distance (in metres) covered in 12 minutes - 505)/45

There also exist several other reliable tests to estimate VO₂ max.

VO₂ max is properly determined by the Fick Equation: VO₂ max = Q(CaO₂-CvO₂) where Q is the cardiac output of the heart, CaO₂ is the arterial oxygen content, and CvO₂ is the venous oxygen content.

VO₂ max varies considerably in the population. The average young untrained male will have a VO₂ max of approximately 3.5 litres/minute and 45 ml/min/kg. The average young untrained female will score a VO₂ max of approximately 2.0 litres/minute and 38 ml/min/kg. These scores can improve with training and decrease with age.

In sports where endurance is important component in performance, such as cycling, rowing, cross-country skiing and running, world class athletes typically have high VO₂ maximums. World class male runners, cyclist and cross-country skiers typically exceed VO₂ max of 70 ml/kg/min and a rare few may exceed 90 ml/kg/min for men and 70 ml/kg/min for women. World class rowers are the physically largest endurance athletes and typically do not score as high on a per weight basis, but often score exceptionally high in absolute terms. A less size-biased measure is to divide by mass^2/3 rather than mass. Male rowers typically score VO₂ maximums over 6 litres/minute, and some exceptional individuals have exceeded 8 l/min.

To put this into perspective, thoroughbred horses have a VO₂max of around 180 ml/min/kg.

See also

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• Training effect
• Anaerobic exercise
• Respirometry

External links

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• What is VO₂ max?
• Maximal Oxygen Consumption - The VO₂ max?
• VO₂ max on Sports Coach
• All About VO2max - Horses

Exercise physiology | Sports terminology | Respiratory system