VO₂max
Unless you're a pro athlete, "VO₂ max" probably sounds like a formula you forgot from high school chemistry. But VO₂ max training is becoming more and more common as average-Jane exercisers are training like, well, athletes - Gabrielle Kassel
image by: Leinster Sports Clinic
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How a VO2 max test showed me the true meaning of fitness
Cardiorespiratory fitness, even when measured by a spirit-breaking VO2 max test, could be defined as the ability to do any sustained activity – walking to a bus stop, mowing the lawn or shovelling the walk, playing with the kids – without gasping for breath. It reflects how efficiently the circulatory and respiratory systems supply muscles with oxygen, and how well those muscles use it.
It’s also something of a fortune teller. Cardiorespiratory fitness improves the effectiveness of insulin, body composition, blood pressure and much more. Because of that, fitness and lifespan are linked, as one review of existing evidence shows. When mortality starts calling in loans, it’s like money…
Resources
Humbled by my max VO2 test
The test isn't for someone who runs every day for fitness or weight loss and isn't focused on race results. But if you're someone who is stuck in your training and wondering how to see a breakthrough in your races, I would suggest taking some of the money saved from not running in virtual races this year and head over to Ben's "lab" at XLR8. His advice could be the answer to achieving a PR.
Proper science or hocus pocus? Pros and cons of using VLamax
VLamax might be new to you but, says its proponents, it has the potential to become as beneficial and popular to cyclists as FTP and VO2max. Its critics, however, argue otherwise.
What Is VO2 Max and How Do You Improve Yours?
This number can say a lot about your overall health.
What is VO2 max and why should you set it up with Apple Watch?
One of the useful and somewhat buried health features on Apple Watch is VO2 max. The measurement can be estimated by Apple Watch when recording specific workouts but it isn’t enabled by default and actually goes by another name.
Why a Higher VO2 Max Isn’t Always Better
Improving your max aerobic power may come at the cost of worse efficiency, a new study finds.
How ‘Trainable’ Is VO2 Max Really? – A Case Study
While VO2 max is an important metric for endurance athletes, it also plays an important role in the between-effort recovery in most team sports. Whatever the sport, given the appropriate training over a sufficiently long period, VO2 mx is a very trainable quality.
Master your VO2 max: What is it and how can you find out yours?
If you’re into fitness, the chances are that you might have heard the term VO2 max at some stage or another. Maximizing your workout and achieving optimal performance is probably somewhere on your mind when you’re exercising (behind the beads of sweat on your forehead!) and this is where knowing the basics of VO2 max can be useful.
Training FAQ: How can you improve VO2max?
Before we dive into the science, it’s helpful to start by pointing out how critical it is to be careful with the terms we’re using. VO2max is a term that gets used a lot, and I’ve seen it get used to mean a lot of different things.
Va-va-VO2 max: How to get the most from your VO2 max gains
My advice is, never do more than two VO2 max workouts per week. They are extremely fatiguing, both physically and mentally. If you find yourself feeling a little anxious on the morning of the workout, that is normal – these sessions provoke nerves, not unlike a race.
VO2 max: Everything you need to know
If you're a fitness fiend like any other, you're probably always looking for ways to run faster and farther, workout harder and push your limits by any means necessary. You might even track a number of fitness markers — heart rate, calories burned, steps walked, etc. — but there's one marker your fitness watch can't tell you: Your VO2 max.
VO₂max: the gold standard for measuring fitness explained
If you could pick one measure to evaluate your health, what would you pick? Blood pressure? Cholesterol? These are commonly measured by your GP, but there is something that is more informative: maximal aerobic capacity, otherwise known as VO₂max.
What Is A VO2 Max Chart?
The VO2 max chart categorizes VO2 max scores by age group to show averages of maximal oxygen consumption during exercise in each age range. Men and women have separate VO2 max charts. Since women have lower muscle mass compared to men, their VO2 max ranges are listed separately...
What is VO2 Max and why should you care?
VO2 Max has its limitations, though. Having the highest VO2 Max score among your friends or running club members won’t guarantee you’ll be the quickest – or be able to run the furthest. As with all things pertaining to athletic performance, there are other variables at play...
What Is VO2 Max, Exactly? Glad You Asked
Essentially, it's your PR for oxygen intake.
What is VO2max, why is it important and how can you improve it?
It's often regarded as the most important metric in endurance sports. But what does it really tell about your physiology?
What the Heck Is VO2 Max?
The metric is a popular feature on the newest wave of fitness trackers, but it's no reason to ditch your older device.
What’s Your Fitness Age?
Fitness age is determined primarily by your VO2max, which is a measure of your body’s ability to take in and utilize oxygen. VO2max indicates your current cardiovascular endurance.
How a VO2 max test showed me the true meaning of fitness
It’s also something of a fortune teller.
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