Absolute Vo2 Vs Relative Vo2

So, What Is VO2 max?

I took a graduate level course in Exercise Physiology a few years ago at Eastern Michigan University where we discussed VO2 Max so I thought I would share some of what I learned and hopefully clear up some misconceptions virtually what VO2 max is and what VO2 max isn't.

Remember when y'all learned in elementary schoolhouse that plants accept in carbon dioxide (CO2) and release Oxygen (O2) while humans take in O2 and produce CO2? On a cellular level, our torso processes some of the O2 we breathe in through our lungs and release CO2 out through our lungs as a by production of our trunk's metabolic (chemic) reactions.

As yous do at a higher and higher intensity (effort), your body processes more than and more oxygen until your torso reaches a maximal amount of oxygen that information technology can procedure. Fifty-fifty if exercise intensity continues to become higher, your body has reached a limit in its power to process O2. "VO2 max" is divers every bit the maximal charge per unit at which an individual can process O2. VO2 max is expressed in either units of liters (L) of O2 per infinitesimal (min), which is an accented number or milliliters (ml) of O2 per infinitesimal per kilogram (kg) of body weight, which is a relative number and what people typically use when they talk near VO2 max numbers. VO2 max relative to torso weight allows u.s. to compare the VO2 max of individuals of unlike sizes since larger people tend to consume more oxygen (on average) than smaller people only considering they're bigger.

A person's O2 consumption tin be measured using mask and breathing tube that connects to a metabolic cart (mask and breathing tube shown in the picture of me in a higher place). The actual VO2 max exam itself is simply near x minutes, equally the metabolic cart analyzes the expired air of the client during progressively harder and harder exercise performed on a bike, treadmill, rower, stair climber, elliptical, etc. until a maximal amount of O2 usage is achieved – or as much intensity equally the client can tolerate.

Please annotation: Information technology is very important to consider the quality of the equipment existence used to exam, and regular maintenance and calibrations must be performed to ensure validity and reliability of data. The Parvo Medics equipment used by the Olympic Grooming Center is the gold standard for VO2 max testing and ensures reliable and repeatable tests.

Absolute vs. Relative VO2 Max

As an example of the difference between absolute and relative VO2 max, I did a bike VO2 max test a few years ago where I weighed in at a heavy (for me) 180.6 lbs. My relative VO2 max measured 64.2 ml / kg / min. Assuming nothing else changed simply my weight (let'due south assume it was all body fat), if I tested today at 170 lbs, my VO2 max would go up to 68.four. A uncomplicated way to better VO2 max – or at least relative VO2 max!

However, my aerobic capacity (ability to utilize oxygen) has not necessarily changed. If my accented VO2 max (5.27 L/min) had too gone upwardly so I could say that my aerobic capacity had gone up, too, and I could now process more than oxygen.

In a study past Coyle(1) on 7x Tour de France Champion Lance Armstrong, Coyle looked at Lance's VO2 max at different points in his career:

Time Period	Weight (kg)	VO2 Max (Accented)	VO2 Max Relative
Nov 1992 Preseason:	78.ix	5.56	seventy.5
Jan 1993 Preseason:	76.5	v.82	76.1
Sep 1993 Racing:	75.ane	6.ten	81.ii
Aug 1997 Reduced:	79.5	v.29	66.6
Nov 1999 Preseason:	79.7	5.7	71.5

As evidenced by Lance's data higher up, VO2 max – both absolute and relative – can change through training and de-conditioning. It'south interesting to note that even his examination results from Aug 1997, which were performed 8 months later chemotherapy during a period of reduced training all the same generated numbers that are in the highest range of values that normal men can e'er hope to achieve.

VO2 as a Predictor of Performance

VO2 max is often used equally a predictor of functioning for endurance sports (i.e. the higher, the better) similar marathons, triathlons and cycling events, but knowing your VO2 max by itself is, as my Exercise Physiology professor says, like knowing your IQ. A high IQ or a loftier VO2 max may get yous in the door, but having a high IQ or high VO2 max does non mean guarantee success. At that place are other metabolic data in improver to VO2 max (e.grand. lactate threshold, RER, etc.) and other operation factors (e.m. motivation, efficiency, etc) that should be considered.

I'll continue this word in Understanding VO2 Max: What Does Information technology Tell You? (Part ii).

Happy training,

David

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david glover headshot Coach David Glover, MS, CSCS has completed 28 IRONMAN altitude triathlons, which includes 2 sub nine 60 minutes finishes and winning Vineman Full twice. Now, David'due south passion at present is helping triathlete and other endurance athletes reach their dreams through his online triathlon educational activity and grooming company, ENDURANCEWORKS. David has an MS in Practice Physiology and is certified as a coach by IRONMAN Triathlon, USA Triathlon and USA Cycling plus has his CSCS from NSCA. After six years of living, preparation and coaching in the triathlon mecca of Boulder, CO, David currently resides in Southern California.

Reference:

1. Coyle, Edward. Improved Muscular Efficiency Displayed as Tour de French republic Champion Matures. Journal of Applied Physiology, 2005, 98: 2191-2196.