VO2 max

Question 1

Define VO2 max

Answer 1

The maximum volume of oxygen that can be utilised or consumed by the working muscles per minute.

Question 2

What is Oskar Svendsen’s VO2 max?

Answer 2

97.5ml/kg/min

Question 3

What are the 3 key components needed for a high VO2 max?

Answer 3

• Effective O2 delivery system from atmosphere to blood (respiratory)
• Large efficient heart (circulatory)
• A muscle structure that posses large amount of myoglobin and high density of mitochondria. (muscular)

Question 4

How is VO2 max tested for?

Answer 4

Direct gas analysis or:
- Multi stage fitness test
- Harvard step test
- 12 min Cooper run

Question 5

What 5 factors affect VO2 max?

Answer 5

1) Gender
2) Age
3) Lifestyle
4) Body composition
5) Training

Question 6

How does gender affect VO2 max

Answer 6

Males are generally larger than females, so have a larger left ventricle and therefore a larger stroke volume.
They also may have a higher blood volume, with higher haemoglobin levels

Question 7

How does age affect VO2 max

Answer 7

Max HR drops around 5-7 beats per decade, and blood pressure increases - loss of elasticity in arteries also occurs.
Decrease in stroke volume due to increase in peripheral resistance from blood vessels

Question 8

How does lifestyle affect VO2 max?

Answer 8

• Smoking
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Poor diet

Question 9

How does body composition affect VO2 max

Answer 9

Fat is seen as non-functional weight, and therefore requires more O2 for energy production in order to carry it around

Question 10

Name 5 training (physiological) adaptations that occur following a period of aerobic training (VO2 max)

Answer 10

• Cardiac hypertrophy
• Increased stroke volume
• Increased capillarisation
• Increased A-VO2 diff
• Lower resting heart rate (bradycardia)