12) **** VO2max ****

Question 1

What is VO2max?
How is it calculated?

Answer 1

Volume Oxygen Maximum
- Measurement of max amount of oxygen that an individual can utilize during intense, maximal exercise
- Indicator of aerobic endurance and cardiovascular fitness as it calculates how efficiently your cells use O2 for energy
- Highest O2 uptake achieved despite increases in exercise intensity

VO2max = CO x A-VO2 DIFF
* A = arterial (O2)
* V = venous (O2)
* A-VO2 DIFF = (Arterial – venous)O2
* Amount of blood pumped/minute (CO) x amount of oxygen delivered

• Maximum volume of Oxygen that the body can use for metabolism (NOT LUNG CAPACITY)
• How much O2 your body able to use

Question 2

Aerobic Capacity - VO2Max

• Oxygen uptake increases ? until maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) is reached
• VO2max called ?

Physiological factors influencing VO2max:
* Maximum ability of ? system to deliver O2 to the muscle
* Ability of ? to use O2 to produce ATP ?
* Both affected by ? and ?

Answer 2

• Oxygen uptake increases linearly until maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) is reached
• VO2max called aerobic capacity

Physiological factors influencing VO2max:
* Maximum ability of cardiorespiratory system to deliver O2 to the muscle
* Ability of muscle to use O2 to produce ATP aerobically
* Both affected by genetics and training

Question 3

Aerobic vs Anaerobic

While all energy systems contribute to the body’s energy needs during exercise, what determines which system (anaerobic or aerobic) is predominantly used?

Answer 3

The system you predominantly use depends on the intensity and duration of the exercise
– Long duration lower intensity exercise = Aerobic energy production
– Short duration higher intensity exercise Favors anaerobic energy production

All energy systems contribute to your body’s energy needs during exercise
* Both anaerobic and aerobic

Question 4

O2 uptake in Trained vs Untrained

How does training impact VO2max?

Answer 4

VO2max
- Higher in trained vs untrained

Typically increases with physical training for only 8 – 12 weeks
* Plateaus despite continued higher- intensity training
* Develop ability to perform at higher percentage of VO2max

• Expressed relative to body weight (mL/kg/min) weight bearing sports
• Expressed in L/min for non-weight bearing sports

Question 5

VO2max

How does aging impact VO2max?

Answer 5

VO2max decreases with age
- After age 35, declines at a nonlinear rate that accelerates after age 45.

Question 6

Cardiorespiratory fitness and athletic performance

VO2max is the best single indicator of ?
Cons?

Answer 6

VO2max is best single indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness
* Problem: not complete measure of athletic performance as does not assess anaerobic performance (endurance athletes will use anaerobic systems ie. in sprints to finish)

• Characteristics of successful endurance athletes. High: * VO2max
• Exercise economy
• Lactate threshold
• Percentage of type I muscle fibers

Question 7

What are four characteristics of successful Endurance athletes?

Answer 7

High:
* VO2max
* Exercise economy
* Lactate threshold
* Percentage of type I muscle fibers

VO2max important in aerobic sports (Cross-country Skiing, distance running, Soccer)