VO2 max research

[Mark]

Hey all (great new forum!),

Does anyone have any links to research on VO2 max ( the ability of the muscles to efficiently use oxygen). The articles have to be from a credible source.
Coach Sonnon,
Do you have any published research form the USSR? or is it still locked behind that big curtain :shock:

I have to do a research project in my physiology class at school.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
cheers
-mark

[Scott Sonnon]

You can do a search on Mel Siff's group and obtain credible references: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Supertraining/

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[jamie hale]

Importance of vo2max

This issue is often discussed in the fitness industry. Is it really that significant in regards to performance? Below I have listed some key points Mel Siff presents in his excellent text Supertraining.

- athletes with equivalent vo2max show different performance results- middle distance runners of 1940’s had same vo2max of today’s athletes yet there are major differences in performance- v02max levels stabilize in highly qualified athletes but performance improves-Decreases in vo2max levels has been observed during the competition period in skaters, cyclists, marathoners and swimmers-


I would conclude according to the above stated Vo2max is only one indicator of enhanced performance. We must consider other qualities as well when determining ones general endurance capabilities. Another excellent source for info concerning this matter is lactate Threshold Training by Janseen.

Thank you
Coach hale
www.maxcondition.com[/b][/i]

[Scott Sonnon]

Understanding anaerobic threshold will make you a better strength-endurance athlete - such as the torturous pain that Clubbell athletes endure. If your VO2Max is your aerobic potential, your anaerobic threshold determines how much of that potential you may tap into. More importantly, you can improve your lactate threshold considerably more than VO2Max with athletic training.

Although advanced strength endurance athletes often possess insanely high VO2Max values compared to novice athletes there are other characteristics that influence their performance. Advanced athletes will not NECESSARILY score the highest VO2Max. Lactate threshold, locomotion velocity (the speed one moves when achieving VO2Max) and nutritional status all dramatically contribute to elite performance.

As Coach Hale writes, VO2Max may definitely indicate performance levels but this may only be distinguishable in novice strength endurance athletes. Although VO2Max's character is genetically influenced, significant training can produce around 20% increase in performance - as a result not a significantly trainable characteristic. A more trainable characteristic is Onset of Blood Lactate Accumulation (OBLA) - the measure of anaerobic threshold. It may be the case that athletes with subpar to average VO2Max may outperform athletes with superior VO2Max through tough training directed towards enhancing OBLA. This may be the case most significantly in less experienced athletes since researchers say OBLA is highly trainable and less genetically predetermined.

VO2Max is a good indicator of aerobic endurance performance for novice athletes. Novice athletes with a higher VO2Max ratings tend to perform better in endurance events such as Olympic Clubbell Sport than people with lower values for aerobic power. Advanced athletes may be able to tweak the additional ~20% in performance through VO2Max enhancement as well.

Yours in strength,
Scott Sonnon

[Mark]

I have to research VO2 max for my physiology class because we are trying to determine if that (other groups are researching other components like diet and lifestyle ect) is a reason for a winning marathoner's succes.

I will definately look at the Supertraining site.

Coach Hale or Coach Sonnon,
do you have any published research on anaerobic threshhold, OBLA or VO2 max?

thanks for all of your help!
-mark

[bill cogswell]

Lots of great info here, thanks Coach!

[bob_stra]

I have to research VO2 max for my physiology class because we are trying to determine if that (other groups are researching other components like diet and lifestyle ect) is a reason for a winning marathoner's succes.

I will definately look at the Supertraining site.

Coach Hale or Coach Sonnon,
do you have any published research on anaerobic threshhold, OBLA or VO2 max?

thanks for all of your help!
-mark

Just about any good physiology book would be a good place to get the basics. IIRC the latest edition of Tortora and Gribowski has a side bar on this very topic in the chapter on Respiratory System.

Also, there might be something worth mining from here -

http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/dept/coachsci/mastable.htm

Just looking at the contents page, I can see an entire volume on respiratory adaptations to altitude training....

[Mark]

great link, thanks Bob!

-mark

[edd]

To be really strong you also need to be fit, fitness by its definition requires one to have an efficient oxygen uptake ( VO2 Max rating )
However it is not everything !

A one hundred metre runner has no where near the VO2 max of a marathon runner, However the power output in the first 10 second of a run is also not comparable.

In elite sporting circles these are now compared in unison, VO2 max ( absolute and relative ) and Power output, also ( absolute and relative ) The other thing sports sciences would like to test but can not, is the “fight in the dog” the “X” factor that often wins events !