VO2max

Question 1

Why is VO2max a good measures for aerobic capacity?

Answer 1

Holistic measure of all systems working together.

Question 2

What is VO2 defined as?

Answer 2

Central aspect = SV * HR
Peripheral = (a-v) O2 difference

Question 3

What happens during anaerobic metabolism?

Answer 3

Anaerobic glycolysis.
1. Initial ATP stores deplete.
2. Phosphocreatine breaks down into phosphate and creatine.
3. Production of more ATP.

Question 4

What did the isolated muscle study conclude (Basset and Howley, 2000)?

Answer 4

Isolated exercise oxygen extraction by quadriceps during one-legged exercise is 2-3x higher than whole body exercise.

Question 5

What impact does varying numbers of mitochondria have between different people?

Answer 5

People with higher numbers of mitochondria will be able to exercise aerobically for longer and will therefore have a higher VO2max.

Question 6

Taking blood samples pre and post-exercise has what effect on the central aspect of VO2?

Answer 6

Taking blood samples post training has been shown to reduce Q and VO2max.
Taking blood influences SV directly.

Question 7

Why is removal of the pericardium beneficial to stroke volume?

Answer 7

Pericardium limits heart expansion, so without it SV will increase.

Question 8

Genetics account for how much variance in your VO2max?

Answer 8

25-50%

Question 9

What determines how well an endurance athlete performs?

Answer 9

Ability to utilise O2 efficiently.
Ability to sustain high % of VO2max over time.
Produce higher power/speed at given O2 uptake.

Question 10

What are the secondary criteria for VO2max?

Answer 10

HR at/greater than 90% of age predicted maximum.
Blood lactate concentration greater than 8mmol/L
RER > 1.1
RPE > 19