1. Your maximal oxygen consumption
VO2 Max
The single best indicator of your cardiovascular fitness

2. VO2 Max represents the efficiency of the respiratory (lungs), cardiovascular (heart), circulatory (blood) and muscular systems’ abilities to perform under increased work demands.

3. VO2 Max or maximal oxygen consumption measures ones ability to generate work over a prolonged period of time.

4. It is usually determined either by direct gas consumption measures or predicted from heart rate responses to particular work loads while either walking or jogging on a treadmill or pedaling on the bike.

5. A high maximal capacity to deliver blood (w/oxygen) means there is the potential for more muscles to be active simultaneously during exercise. VO2 max levels are affected greatly by genetics, decline with age, and are generally much higher in endurance trained individuals.

6. VO2 Max best describes the capacity for oxygen delivery and is generally most limited by the maximum pumping capacity of the heart, and the specific arterial development to the active muscles. In relative terms (relative to an individuals body weight) VO2 max represents the maximum amount of oxygen per kilogram of weight that a person can use in converting fuel to energy

7. ml/kg/min VO2 max is expressed
Milliliters (of Oxygen)/kilogram (of body weight)/minute (per minute of exercise)

8. Highest Recorded Female : Highest Recorded Male :
Average VO2 max is ml/kg/min in 30 year old untrained males
30-35 ml/kg/min in females
Highest Recorded Female :
74 ml/kg/min
Highest Recorded Male :
94 ml/kg/min

9. Steve Prefontaine, U.S. Runner: 84.4
Frank Shorter, Marathon Winner:
Paula Ivan, 1500M Record Holder:
Lance Armstrong, Cyclist:

10. Men: 111.3 – (0.42 x HR BPM) Women: 65.81 – (0.1847 x HR BPM)
VO2 Max
Men: – (0.42 x HR BPM)
Women: – ( x HR BPM)