(English Version)
VO2max
Fitness
can be measured by the volume of oxygen you can consume while exercising at
your maximum capacity. VO2max is the maximum amount of oxygen in millilitres,
one can use in one minute per kilogram of body weight. Those who are fit have
higher VO2max values and can exercise more intensely than those who are not as
well conditioned. Numerous studies show that you can increase your VO2max by
working out at an intensity that raises your heart rate to between 65 and 85% of its
maximum for at least 20 minutes three to five times a week. A mean
value of VO2max for male athletes is about 3.5 litres/minute and for female
athletes it is about 2.7 litres/minute.
Factors affecting VO2max
The physical limitations that restrict the rate at which energy can be
released aerobically are dependent upon:
|
There are various physiological factors that combine to
determine VO2max for which there are two theories: Utilization Theory and
Presentation Theory.
Utilization theory maintains that VO2max is determined by the
body's ability to utilize the available oxygen whereas Presentation Theory
maintains it is the ability of the body's cardiovascular system to deliver
oxygen to active tissues.
A study by Saltin and Rowell (1980)[3] concluded that it
is the delivery of oxygen to active tissues that is the major limiting factor
to VO2max. A study by Gollnick et al. (1972)[4] showed a weak
relationship between the body's ability to utilize the available oxygen and
VO2max.
VO2max for various groups
The tables below, adapted from Wilmore and Costill (2005)[2], detail normative
data for VO2max (ml/kg/min) in various population groups.
Non Athletes
Age
|
Male
|
Female
|
10-19
|
47-56
|
38-46
|
20-29
|
43-52
|
33-42
|
30-39
|
39-48
|
30-38
|
40-49
|
36-44
|
26-35
|
50-59
|
34-41
|
24-33
|
60-69
|
31-38
|
22-30
|
70-79
|
28-35
|
20-27
|
Athletes
Sport
|
Age
|
Male
|
Female
|
Baseball
|
18-32
|
48-56
|
52-57
|
Basketball
|
18-30
|
40-60
|
43-60
|
Cycling
|
18-26
|
62-74
|
47-57
|
Canoeing
|
22-28
|
55-67
|
48-52
|
Football (USA)
|
20-36
|
42-60
|
|
Gymnastics
|
18-22
|
52-58
|
35-50
|
Ice Hockey
|
10-30
|
50-63
|
|
Orienteering
|
20-60
|
47-53
|
46-60
|
Rowing
|
20-35
|
60-72
|
58-65
|
Skiing alpine
|
18-30
|
57-68
|
50-55
|
Skiing nordic
|
20-28
|
65-94
|
60-75
|
Soccer
|
22-28
|
54-64
|
50-60
|
Speed skating
|
18-24
|
56-73
|
44-55
|
Swimming
|
10-25
|
50-70
|
40-60
|
Track & Field - Discus
|
22-30
|
42-55
|
|
Track & Field - Running
|
18-39
|
60-85
|
50-75
|
Track & Field - Running
|
40-75
|
40-60
|
35-60
|
Track & Field - Shot
|
22-30
|
40-46
|
|
Volleyball
|
18-22
|
40-56
|
|
Weight Lifting
|
20-30
|
38-52
|
|
Wrestling
|
20-30
|
52-65
|
Athlete's Vo2max Scores
The following are the Vo2max scores for a selection of the
top female and male athletes.
VO2max (ml/kg/min)
|
Athlete
|
Gender
|
Sport/Event
|
96.0
|
Espen Harald Bjerke
|
Male
|
Cross Country Skiing
|
96.0
|
Bjorn Daehlie
|
Male
|
Cross Country Skiing
|
92.5
|
Greg LeMond
|
Male
|
Cycling
|
92.0
|
Matt Carpenter
|
Male
|
Marathon Runner
|
92.0
|
Tore Ruud Hofstad
|
Male
|
Cross Country Skiing
|
91.0
|
Harri Kirvesniem
|
Male
|
Cross Country Skiing
|
88.0
|
Miguel Indurain
|
Male
|
Cycling
|
87.4
|
Marius Bakken
|
Male
|
5K Runner
|
85.0
|
Dave Bedford
|
Male
|
10K Runner
|
85.0
|
John Ngugi
|
Male
|
Cross Country Runner
|
73.5
|
Greta Waitz
|
Female
|
Marathon runner
|
71.2
|
Ingrid Kristiansen
|
Female
|
Marathon Runner
|
67.2
|
Rosa Mota
|
Female
|
Marathon Runner
|
VO2max and age
As we get older our VO2max decreases. A study by Jackson et
al. (1995)[5]
found the average decrease was 0.46 ml/kg/min per year for men (1.2%) and 0.54
ml/kg/min for women (1.7%). The decline is due to a number of factors including
a reduction in maximum heart rate
and maximum stoke volume.
VO2max and performance
VO2max on its own is a poor predictor of performance but
using the velocity (vVO2max)
and duration (tlimvVO2max)
that an athlete can operate at their VO2max will provide a better indication of
performance.
VO2max evaluation tests
An estimate of your VO2max can be determined using any of the
following tests:
- 2.4km Run
Test
- Astrand
Treadmill test - VO2max test running on a treadmill
- Astrand 6
minute Cycle test - VO2max test on a static bike
- Balke VO2max
test - suitable for endurance sports
- Balke
Incremental treadmill protocol test- VO2max test on a treadmill
(male and female tests)
- Bruce
Incremental treadmill protocol test- VO2max test on a treadmill
(male and female tests)
- Cooper VO2max
test - suitable for endurance sports
- Conconi test
- Critical Swim
Speed - measure of a swimmers aerobic capacity
- Home Step Test
- a step test you can conduct at home
- Harvard Step
Test - measure of cardiovascular fitness
- Multistage
Fitness Test or Bleep test - VO2max test for endurance sports
- Queens
College Step Test - VO2max test
- Rockport
Fitness walking test - VO2max test
- Tecumseh Step
Test - measure of cardiovascular fitness
- Treadmill
VO2max test - VO2max test
- VO2max from
non-exercise data - VO2max test
- VO2max from a
one mile jog
- VO2max from a
race result (time for a distance)
- VO2max Step
Test
- Wheelchair
VO2max Test
Improving your VO2max
The following are samples of Astrands (a work physiologists)
workouts for improving oxygen uptake:
- (1) - Run at maximum speed for 5 minutes. Note the distance
covered in that time. Let us assume that the distance achieved is 1900
metres. Rest for five minutes, and then run the distance (1900 metres) 20%
slower, in other words in six minutes, with 30 seconds rest, repeated many
times. This is equal to your 10 Km pace
- (2) - Run at maximum speed for four minutes. Note the
distance covered in that time. Rest for four minutes. In this case, we
will assume you run a distance of 1500 metres. Now run the same distance
15% slower, in other words in 4 minutes 36 seconds, with 45 seconds rest,
repeated several times. This approximates to a time between the athlete's
5 Km and 10 Km time
- (3) - Run at maximum effort for three minute. Note the
distance covered in that time. The distance covered is, say 1000 metres.
Successive runs at that distance are taken 10% slower or at 3 minutes 18
seconds, with 60 seconds rest, repeated several times. This approximates
to your 5 Km time
- (4) - Run at maximum effort for five minutes. Note the
distance covered in that time. The distance covered is 1900 metres. Rest
five minutes. The distance is now covered 5% slower with one and a half
minutes rest. This is approximately 3K pace for you, i.e., five minutes 15
seconds/1900 metres
- (5) - Run at maximum effort for three minutes. The
distance covered is 1100 metres. When recovered, the athlete then runs the
same distance 5% slower, i.e., three minutes nine seconds/1100 metres,
with one minute rest, repeated several times. This is at 3 Km pace
When and how often
It is suggested that in the winter sessions (1) and (2) are
done weekly, and in the track season sessions (3), (4) and (5) are done weekly
by runners from 800 metres to the half-marathon. Although it would be
convenient to use the original distance marks made by the duration efforts, this
does not take into account the athlete's condition before each session, so the
maximum effort runs must be done on each occasion when they may be either more
or less than the previous distance run. The maximum duration efforts are in
themselves quality sessions. If the pulse rate has not recovered to 120 beats
per minute in the rest times given, the recovery period should be extended
before the repetitions are started. The recovery times between the repetitions
should be strictly adhered to. These workouts make a refreshing change from
repetition running. When all five sessions are completed within a month,
experience shows substantial improvements in performance.
The effect of altitude
VO2 max decreases as altitude increases above 1600m and for
every 1000m above 1600m maximal oxygen uptake decreases by approximately 8-11%.
The decrease is mainly due to a decrease in maximal cardiac output (product of
heart rate and stroke volume). Stoke volume decreases due to the immediate
decrease in blood plasma volume.
The VO2max assessment is based on the Cooper VO2max tables
and comprises of the following grades: Very Poor, Poor, Fair, Good, Excellent
and Superior.
For an evaluation of your VO2max select the age group and
gender, enter your VO2max and then select the 'Calculate' button.
Age
|
Gender
|
Vo2max ml/kg/min
|
Assessment -
|
Normative data for VO2max
Normative data (Heywood 1998)[6] for Female (values
in ml/kg/min)
Age
|
Very Poor
|
Poor
|
Fair
|
Good
|
Excellent
|
Superior
|
13-19
|
<25.0
|
25.0 - 30.9
|
31.0 - 34.9
|
35.0 - 38.9
|
39.0 - 41.9
|
>41.9
|
20-29
|
<23.6
|
23.6 - 28.9
|
29.0 - 32.9
|
33.0 - 36.9
|
37.0 - 41.0
|
>41.0
|
30-39
|
<22.8
|
22.8 - 26.9
|
27.0 - 31.4
|
31.5 - 35.6
|
35.7 - 40.0
|
>40.0
|
40-49
|
<21.0
|
21.0 - 24.4
|
24.5 - 28.9
|
29.0 - 32.8
|
32.9 - 36.9
|
>36.9
|
50-59
|
<20.2
|
20.2 - 22.7
|
22.8 - 26.9
|
27.0 - 31.4
|
31.5 - 35.7
|
>35.7
|
60+
|
<17.5
|
17.5 - 20.1
|
20.2 - 24.4
|
24.5 - 30.2
|
30.3 - 31.4
|
>31.4
|
Normative data (Heywood 1998)[6] for Male (values
in ml/kg/min)
Age
|
Very Poor
|
Poor
|
Fair
|
Good
|
Excellent
|
Superior
|
13-19
|
<35.0
|
35.0 - 38.3
|
38.4 - 45.1
|
45.2 - 50.9
|
51.0 - 55.9
|
>55.9
|
20-29
|
<33.0
|
33.0 - 36.4
|
36.5 - 42.4
|
42.5 - 46.4
|
46.5 - 52.4
|
>52.4
|
30-39
|
<31.5
|
31.5 - 35.4
|
35.5 - 40.9
|
41.0 - 44.9
|
45.0 - 49.4
|
>49.4
|
40-49
|
<30.2
|
30.2 - 33.5
|
33.6 - 38.9
|
39.0 - 43.7
|
43.8 - 48.0
|
>48.0
|
50-59
|
<26.1
|
26.1 - 30.9
|
31.0 - 35.7
|
35.8 - 40.9
|
41.0 - 45.3
|
>45.3
|
60+
|
<20.5
|
20.5 - 26.0
|
26.1 - 32.2
|
32.3 - 36.4
|
36.5 - 44.2
|
>44.2
|
% MHR and %VO2max
It is possible to estimate your exercise intensity as a
percentage of VO2max
from your training heart rate. A study by David Swain et al. (1994)[1] using statistical
procedures examined the relationship between %MHR and %VO2max. Their results
led to the following regression equation:
- %MHR = 0.64 × %VO2max + 37
The relationship has been shown to hold true across sex, age
and activity.
Calculator
The following calculator will do the conversion for you.
Enter a value, select the parameter (MHR or VO2max) and then select the
"Calculate" button.
Value =
|
%
|
=
|
%
|
%VO2max and Speed
% of VO2max
|
Speed
|
50
|
Very slow running
|
60
|
Slow running
|
70
|
Steady running
|
80
|
Half Marathon speed
|
90
|
10 km speed
|
95
|
5 km speed
|
100
|
3 km speed
|
110
|
1500 metres to 800 metres speed
|
Free Calculator
- %VO2max to %MHR Calculator - a free
Microsoft Excel spreadsheet which you can download and use on your
computer. The spreadsheet will be loaded into a new window.
- SWAIN et al (1994) Target HR for the development of CV
fitness. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 26 (1),
p. 112-116
- WILMORE, J.H. and COSTILL, D.L. (2005) Physiology of
Sport and Exercise. 3rd ed. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics
- SALTIN, B. and ROWELL, L.B. (1980) Functional adaptations
to physical activity and inactivity. Federation Proceeding. 39 (5),
p. 1506-1513
- GOLLNICK, P.D. et al. (1972) Enzyme activity and fiber
composition in skeletal muscle of untrained and trained men. J Appl
Physiol., 33 (3), p. 312-319
- JACKSON, A.S. et al. (1995) Changes in aerobic power of
men, ages 25-70 yr. Med Sci Sports Exerc., 27 (1), p. 113-120
- HEYWOOD, V. (1998) The Physical Fitness Specialist
Certification Manual, The Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research, Dallas
TX, revised 1997. In: HEYWOOD, V (1998) Advance Fitness Assessment
& Exercise Prescription, 3rd Ed. Leeds: Human Kinetics. p. 48
Page Reference
The reference for this page is:
- MACKENZIE, B. (2001) VO2max [WWW] Available from:
http://www.brianmac.co.uk/vo2max.htm [Accessed 9/7/2012]
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