Vo2Max is "the maximum or optimum rate at which the heart, lungs, and muscles
can effectively use oxygen during exercise, used as a way of measuring a
person's individual aerobic capacity."
"VO2max is a valid index measuring the limits of the cardiorespiratory systems' ability to transport oxygen from the air to the tissues at a given level of physical conditioning and oxygen availability." (link)
It is an important indicator of your level of fitness and expected level of performance, albeit not the only one of course and more or less important depending on your favorite sport and distance.
Your VO2max decreases when you are aging, but if you train regularly and with intensity (think Tabata and HIIT) you can slow down the process.
Here is an example of ratings (link):
To measure my VO2max, I'm testing myself regularly with Cooper test (12mn running) or using my cardio Polar. Results work well for me. At least it gives you a trend (eg you can compare the numbers).
When I was training for Triathlon and 70.3 distance Ironman, I could have a regimen of swimming / cycling / running up to 12-14h per week. During this period, my VO2Max was always between 58-60.
Whilst changing job, traveling a lot, and most importantly becoming a father of a wonderful little boy, time for training has shortened dramatically.
I've also give up on the bike for a while, thus making harder to build the "base" endurance. My VO2max went south in the 55 area (which is still considered a good level for >40 years old).
Recently, I've increased intensity to my regimen, I've added frequency of Tabata training and incorporated back to back sessions (eg 1 Tabata 4 minutes, 1 minute rest, 1 other Tabata 4 minutes).
After a couple of (intense) weeks of training, coupled with a diet (aging process has also its effects!), I'm back now to a VO2 max of 60 at 42 years old next month. More details later :-)
"VO2max is a valid index measuring the limits of the cardiorespiratory systems' ability to transport oxygen from the air to the tissues at a given level of physical conditioning and oxygen availability." (link)
It is an important indicator of your level of fitness and expected level of performance, albeit not the only one of course and more or less important depending on your favorite sport and distance.
Your VO2max decreases when you are aging, but if you train regularly and with intensity (think Tabata and HIIT) you can slow down the process.
Here is an example of ratings (link):
| Age (years) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rating | 18-25 | 26-35 | 36-45 | 46-55 | 56-65 | 65+ |
| excellent | > 60 | > 56 | > 51 | > 45 | > 41 | > 37 |
| good | 52-60 | 49-56 | 43-51 | 39-45 | 36-41 | 33-37 |
| above average | 47-51 | 43-48 | 39-42 | 36-38 | 32-35 | 29-32 |
| average | 42-46 | 40-42 | 35-38 | 32-35 | 30-31 | 26-28 |
| below average | 37-41 | 35-39 | 31-34 | 29-31 | 26-29 | 22-25 |
| poor | 30-36 | 30-34 | 26-30 | 25-28 | 22-25 | 20-21 |
| very poor | < 30 | < 30 | < 26 | < 25 | < 22 | < 20 |
To measure my VO2max, I'm testing myself regularly with Cooper test (12mn running) or using my cardio Polar. Results work well for me. At least it gives you a trend (eg you can compare the numbers).
When I was training for Triathlon and 70.3 distance Ironman, I could have a regimen of swimming / cycling / running up to 12-14h per week. During this period, my VO2Max was always between 58-60.
Whilst changing job, traveling a lot, and most importantly becoming a father of a wonderful little boy, time for training has shortened dramatically.
I've also give up on the bike for a while, thus making harder to build the "base" endurance. My VO2max went south in the 55 area (which is still considered a good level for >40 years old).
Recently, I've increased intensity to my regimen, I've added frequency of Tabata training and incorporated back to back sessions (eg 1 Tabata 4 minutes, 1 minute rest, 1 other Tabata 4 minutes).
After a couple of (intense) weeks of training, coupled with a diet (aging process has also its effects!), I'm back now to a VO2 max of 60 at 42 years old next month. More details later :-)
