VO2 max is the highest rate at which oxygen can be taken up and utilized during exercise by a person. For optimal performance, the working muscles need a constant supply of oxygen to provide energy or ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) to initiate movement. Maximal oxygen intake can have significant effects on an individual’s performance.
The amount of oxygen the muscles receive impacts upon one’s performance. Take two athletes for example; the first athlete has a higher VO2 max compared to the second. An observer would see a difference in performance between these athletes as the first would be performing better due to their higher maximal oxygen intake. This is because having a higher oxygen intake improves the energy stores, allows muscles to produce movement master and decreases the athlete’s chances of fatigue and performance deterioration.
Once an athlete reaches their VO2 max a plateau (reaching a steady state) occurs, this means that further improvements will occur in performance. This is due to the athlete performing at an increased percentage of VO2 max for longer periods of time. The higher an athlete’s VO2 max becomes the better their aerobic system will function and this will lead to an increased performance in all areas.
Oxygen uptake improves following an athlete’s training session and also increases their lung capacity which in turn will affect their next performance, as they will be able to intake more oxygen due to the greater capacity.
While VO2 max can have great effects on an athlete’s performance, it also has limitations. Once an athlete reaches their VO2 max they cannot exceed these levels and will have difficulty trying to do so, which means their VO2 performance cannot increase. Due to this, they may also turn to alternative illegal measure to enhance their performance. This demonstrates the effect VO2 max can have an on individual’s