LIMITATIONS OF VO2MAX

LIMITATIONS OF VO2MAX

INTRODUCTION
The maximum volume of oxygen that the body can consume, transfer, or employ during a given exercise is called VO2max. This indicates the physical well-being of an individual. However, a multitude of physiological functions limit a person’s endurance for exercise by limiting maximum oxygen consumption by the body (Katch et al., 2011).
VO2max is used to determine the fitness levels, not only in athletes, but also in patients with heart failure, and is therefore both a prognostic and diagnostic tool. It is measured as ‘millilitres of oxygen used/Kg of body weight/per minute’ (Baechle and Earle, 2008). An average weighed healthy male usually has a VO2max of 35–40 ml/Kg/min approximately. Similarly, an average weighed female usually scores a max oxygen consumption of 27–31 ml/Kg/min approximately (Heyward, 2006).

The table below displays standard VO2max classification ranges for both men and women.
VO2max (mL•kg-1•min-1) Classifications for Women (Skinner, 2005)

Age (years)
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
Superior
20 – 29
≤ 35
36 – 39
40 – 43
44 – 49
50+
30 – 39
≤ 33
34 – 36
37 – 40
41 – 45
46+
40 – 49
≤ 31
32 – 34
35 – 38
39 – 44
45+
50 – 59
≤ 24
25 – 28
29 – 30
31 – 34
35+
60 – 69
≤ 25
26 – 28
29 – 31
32 – 35
36+
70 – 79
≤ 23
24 – 26
27 – 29
30 – 35
36+

VO2max (mL•kg-1•min-1) Classifications for Men
Age (years)
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
Superior
20 – 29
≤ 41
42 – 45
46 – 50
51 – 55
56+
30 – 39
≤ 40
41 – 43
44 – 47
48 – 53
54+
40 – 49
≤ 37
38 – 41
42 – 45
46 – 52
53+
50 – 59
≤ 34
35 – 37
38 – 42
43 – 49
50+
60 – 69
≤ 30
31 – 34
35 – 38
39 – 45
46+
70 – 79
≤ 27
28 – 30
31 – 35
36 – 41
42+

The Fick principle (West, Schoene, and Milledge, 2007) states that oxygen uptake is dependent upon central oxygen delivery and peripheral tissue extraction. The oxygen uptake of the subject must equal the product of pulmonary blood flow and arteriovenous

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