Elena Sabol November 18, 2013 VO2 Max VO2 max is the maximum amount of oxygen that an individual

utilizes during exercise. ATP, the energy used by your muscles, is generated with the help of oxygen. As intensity increases, your breathing becomes faster and deeper because your muscles demand more oxygen to produce the energy to continue working. Therefore, as exercise intensity increases, VO2 also increases. There are physical restrictions, however, that limit VO2 such as the bodys cardiovascular and pulmonary systems ability to transport oxygen to muscles. Genetics, age and mass can also affect someones VO2 max, Nonetheless, VO2 max is an efficient way to measure a persons cardiovascular and aerobic endurance. VO2 can be tested either in a lab or outside in the field. VO2 is essentially the difference between the amount of oxygen you inspire and the amount of oxygen you expire. In a laboratory, a person performs on a treadmill or bicycle specifically designed to measure oxygen uptake. As time goes on, the speed and the intensity of the workout increase during which oxygen concentration is also measured. Oxygen consumption rises in proportion to an increase in the intensity of the work out. When the person reaches their maximum VO2, VO2 plateaus meaning the person cannot work any harder. Another way to evaluate VO2 is on the field by using a heart rate monitor. First, stretch for ten minutes. Then quickly walk one mile preferably on flat ground and keep track of time with a stopwatch. After the one-mile, record your heart rate, time and then calculate VO2.

Knowing your VO2 max can help improve your training and running performance in several ways. VO2 max provides a goal every time you exercise and can motivate you to work harder if you feel you are lacking in intensity. VO2 max can also be a base that you may further improve upon by doing consistent aerobic exercises that increase your bodys ability to consume oxygen.