Maximal oxygen uptake, or VO2 max represents the maximum amount of oxygen consumption attainable during all out aerobic exercise, most commonly running on a treadmill. The point at which oxygen consumption plateaus is the individual’s maximal oxygen uptake. If the individual does not plateau, that point is referred to as VO2 peak. VO2 max is measured in milliliters per kilogram of body weight per minute, and there are two ways to measure it, either direct or indirect. The direct method requires the subject to exercise to the extremes of their capability, and indirect methods use sub maximal exercise. For this lab, we used the direct method. It can be tough though, because it requires the subject to exercise until exhaustion, requiring enough motivation.
Some main factors affecting VO2 max are age, gender, and altitude. VO2 max is typically highest by age 20, and …show more content…
What was the subject’s measured VO2 max? What specific criteria from the demonstrated test were achieved to indicate that true exhaustion had been reached?
The subject 's measured VO2max was 52.9 ml/kg/min. Specific criteria indicating that true exhaustion has been reach include: a plateau in VO2, a RER>1.0, an RPE>17, and a heart rate within 10 bpm of the calculated maximum heart rate.
3. Describe the association between cardiac output and VO2max. What limits VO2max?
Cardiac output is the amount of blood that is pumped by the heart in a single minute. Q (Cardiac Output)=Stroke Volume x Heart Rate. The relationship between Cardiac output and VO2 max is as it increases from conditioning, the heart pumps more blood out and at a greater force. This in turn increases the Vo2 max. Factors that can limit VO2 max are age, gender, genetics, altitude, body size, and temperature.
4. Are the heart rate and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) related?
Yes, because the closer the heart rate is to the high end of the CR training zone, the VO2 max will improve, resulting in greater health