12/3/2023 0 Comments Measuring cardiovascular fitnessA higher VO 2 max means a more conditioned aerobic system and indicates cardiovascular health.ĭuring a traditional cycle-ergometer VO 2 max test, you exercise on a special stationary cycle at progressively greater intensities while wearing a mask hooked up to a machine. VO 2 max measures your body’s ability to use oxygen. A higher VO 2 max means a more conditioned aerobic system and indicates cardiovascular health. This exercise intensity level is also known as your lactate threshold or anaerobic threshold.Īs a health indicator, VO 2 max is a reliable measure of aerobic fitness and a key physiological measure of health in the adult population ( 1). This ultimately coincides with the “burn” feeling you get when exercising at great intensity.Ī higher VO 2 max means you can exercise at a greater absolute intensity before relying on anaerobic energy systems. When you surpass your VO 2 max during cardio exercise, your body begins using anaerobic energy systems, which are much quicker to fatigue and cause a buildup of lactate in your muscles. See a certified medical professional for medical advice/ diagnosis.VO 2 max is the maximum rate of oxygen your body can use when exercising at maximum intensities. Our content does not constitute a medical consultation in any form and is for informational purposes only. So, if you're an athlete or someone who trains hard, getting a VO2 max test is recommended. If you are an athlete in training, the VO2 max can be an important part of your training regimen, since monitoring your VO2 max can help you determine the effectiveness of your training program. In addition, the VO2 max can let the average person know their degree of fitness. It has been shown that a high VO2 max decreases mortality in people with coronary artery disease (CAD). Knowing your VO2 max is good, even if you're not an athlete. However, a study published in the Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders found no association between improved VO2 max and lower body fat. Some exercise professionals feel that losing body fat increases your VO2 max. If you enjoy cardiovascular activity, the more likely you will continue. For example, people with bad knees should not be stair climbing, while those with foot spurs would be better off on a cycle than a treadmill. So, what exercise should be best for improving VO2 max? Our best advice is to choose an activity you enjoy that does not cause pain. However, there appears to be a direct correlation between performing cardiovascular exercise and improving VO2 max. How to improve VO2 maxĪfter a detailed literature review, there are no clear conclusions regarding what type of exercise is best to improve the VO2 max. In addition, normal values tend to be lower for women than men. You'll notice that, like the values for men, the normal VO2 value decreases with age. The table below shows normal VO2 values for women. In other words, the ideal VO2 max value can be lower as you age. You'll notice that normal VO2 values decrease with increasing age. Normal VO2 max valuesīelow are normal VO2 max values for men. During this test, the heart rate is constantly monitored. To measure the VO2 max, a person must wear a mask that measures inspired (inhaled) and expired (exhaled) concentrations of oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) gases to measure how much oxygen is converted to carbon dioxide.Īfter the mask is attached, the person exercises on a stationary bike or treadmill, increasing intensity every few minutes until they are physically exhausted. Trained personnel must be present to monitor the effects on the heart. VO2 max can only be measured in specific doctor's offices or specialized exercise labs. Thus, the degree of heart and lung functioning can be measured by how we use oxygen. Our exercising muscles require oxygen brought to the muscles via oxygenated blood from the lungs, and the heart pumps blood throughout the circulation system. The reason VO2 max is such an accurate measurement of cardiovascular fitness is that it takes into account the muscles, blood, heart, and oxygen transport. In other words, the higher the VO2 max, the better the endurance or fitness level.
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