Unit C

Module 5 ~ Lesson 7

VO2 Max

How have athletes capitalized on understanding the process of cellular respiration? Athletic training programs are designed to increase the body's ability to deliver and utilize oxygen to become more efficient in the production of ATP.  Higher levels of physical activity can cause the accumulation of lactate when pyruvate—produced by glycolysis—is not able to be oxidized by the Krebs cycle. The point at which an athlete begins to accumulate lactate in muscle tissues can be used as an indicator of fitness. And this point can also be utilized as a tool for planning further training to improve performance.

Athletes and coaches use a test called VO2 max (the volume of oxygen used at maximal exertion) to determine how well an athlete is able to use oxygen. The test shown in the photograph is most often conducted in a sports-medicine laboratory because it requires specialized equipment. Although the noted test occurs on a stationary bicycle, the test can also be performed on a treadmill or on a rowing machine. It is also possible for athletes without the ability to use their legs to do the test by using an arm ergometer or a treadmill adapted for a wheelchair.


Fort Carson. (2013). VO2 Max Test. Retrieved via Flickr.

During the test, the athlete exercises to exhaustion while the heart rate and chemical composition of inhaled and exhaled air are analyzed. Measuring the quantity of oxygen used by the athlete requires that participants wear a mask to allow inhaled and exhaled gases to be analyzed for their concentrations of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The values for VO2 max are expressed as millilitres of oxygen used per kilogram of body mass per minute of activity (mL/kg/min). This technology —based on cellular respiration— helps athletes train and achieve higher levels of fitness.

Calculate your VO2 Max

Although a VO2 measurement requires sophisticated equipment, there are a number of methods that you can use to estimate your VO2 max.

In order to estimate your VO2 max, you can perform some sort of physical activity or just use your age and resting heart rate. Try one of the methods on this page to estimate your VO2 Max, then use the charts below to evaluate your VO2 Max. If you have a medical condition that prevents you from participating in physical education classes, you should not participate in the exercising part of this activity.


Female (values in ml/kg/min)

Age

Very Poor

Poor

Fair

Good

Excellent

Superior

13-19

25.0 - 30.9

31.0 - 34.9

35.0 - 38.9

39.0 - 41.9

>41.9

20-29

23.6 - 28.9

29.0 - 32.9

33.0 - 36.9

37.0 - 41.0

>41.0

30-39

22.8 - 26.9

27.0 - 31.4

31.5 - 35.6

35.7 - 40.0

>40.0

40-49

21.0 - 24.4

24.5 - 28.9

29.0 - 32.8

32.9 - 36.9

>36.9

50-59

20.2 - 22.7

22.8 - 26.9

27.0 - 31.4

31.5 - 35.7

>35.7

60+

17.5 - 20.1

20.2 - 24.4

24.5 - 30.2

30.3 - 31.4

>31.4

Male (values in ml/kg/min)

Age

Very Poor

Poor

Fair

Good

Excellent

Superior

13-19

35.0 - 38.3

38.4 - 45.1

45.2 - 50.9

51.0 - 55.9

>55.9

20-29

33.0 - 36.4

36.5 - 42.4

42.5 - 46.4

46.5 - 52.4

>52.4

30-39

31.5 - 35.4

35.5 - 40.9

41.0 - 44.9

45.0 - 49.4

>49.4

40-49

30.2 - 33.5

33.6 - 38.9

39.0 - 43.7

43.8 - 48.0

>48.0

50-59

26.1 - 30.9

31.0 - 35.7

35.8 - 40.9

41.0 - 45.3

>45.3

60+

20.5 - 26.0

26.1 - 32.2

32.3 - 36.4

36.5 - 44.2

>44.2

Once you have determined your VO2 max level, consider the following questions:

  • How does this relate to cellular respiration?
  • What does it mean, in terms of aerobic respiration, if your VO2 max value is high?
  • What is the relationship between heart rate and cellular respiration?