VO₂max and the factors that affect it

Overview

Aerobic capacity and VO₂max in ml/kg/min, elite and untrained values, physiological make-up and muscle fibre type, genetics, training, age and sex, and why a football midfielder needs aerobic capacity too.

What you need to know

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Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   Define aerobic capacity.

   Model answer

   Aerobic capacity is the ability to take in, transport and use oxygen. A high aerobic capacity lets a performer sustain long periods of submaximal exercise.

2. 2

   Define VO₂max.

   Model answer

   VO₂max is the maximum volume of oxygen the body can take in and use per minute. VO₂max is measured during exercise to exhaustion.

3. 3

   In what units is VO₂max usually expressed, and why?

   Model answer

   VO₂max is usually given in ml kg⁻¹ min⁻¹. Dividing by body mass allows fair comparison between performers of different sizes.

4. 4

   Roughly how does the VO₂max of an elite endurance athlete compare with an untrained young adult's?

   Model answer

   An untrained young adult typically scores around 30 to 45 ml kg⁻¹ min⁻¹. Elite endurance athletes often exceed 70 ml kg⁻¹ min⁻¹.

5. 5

   Which features of a performer's physiological make-up give a high VO₂max?

   Model answer

   A high VO₂max comes from a large heart and stroke volume, and plenty of red blood cells and haemoglobin. A high proportion of slow oxidative fibres also helps.

6. 6

   How does muscle fibre type affect VO₂max?

   Model answer

   Slow oxidative fibres contain many mitochondria and much myoglobin, so they use oxygen well. A performer with more slow oxidative fibres tends to have a higher VO₂max.

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