PHOTO; 2.3.09 ROB WADDELL DAWN TRAINING BEFORE TRIAL AGAINST MAHE DRYSDALE FOR NZ SINGLE SCULLER POSITION FOR 2009 SEASON WORLD CHAMPS. Photo by Ann Woolliams

VO₂ max

VO₂max is measured in ml/kg/min; millilitres per kilogram a minute. It's simple technical description is:

"the maximum amount of oxygen you can take in and make use of "

The operative words here are, "make use of".  At some point before we hit our VO₂max we come across the lactic threshold.  The lactic threshold is effectively the boundary point that stops us making use of our full VO₂max. 

 Measuring VO₂ max

Accurately measuring VO₂ max involves a physical effort sufficient in duration and intensity to fully tax the aerobic energy system. In general clinical and athletic testing, this usually involves a graded exercise test (either on a treadmill or on a cycle ergometer) in which exercise intensity is progressively increased while measuring ventilation and oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration of the inhaled and exhaled air. VO₂ max is reached when oxygen consumption remains at steady state despite an increase in workload.

 

VO₂ max levels

World class male athletes, cyclists and cross-country skiers typically exceed 75 ml/kg/min and a rare few may exceed 85 ml/kg/min for men and 70 ml/kg/min for women. Five time Tour de France winner Miguel Indurain is reported to have had a VO₂ max of 88.0 at his peak , while cross-country skier Bjørn Dæhlie measured at an astounding 96 ml/kg/min. Dæhlie's result was achieved out of season, and physiologist Erlend Hem who was responsible for the testing stated that he would not discount the possibility of the skier passing 100 ml/kg/min at his absolute peak. By comparison a competitive club athlete might achieve a VO₂ max of around 70 ml /kg/min. World class rowers are physically very large endurance athletes and typically do not score as high on a per weight basis, but often score exceptionally high in absolute terms. Male rowers typically score VO₂ maximums over 6 litres/minute, and some exceptional individuals have exceeded                  8 litres /min.

 

To put this into perspective, thoroughbred horses have a VO₂ max of around 180 ml/kg/min. Siberian dogs running in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race sled race have VO₂ values as high as 240 ml/kg/min.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VO2_max