Maximal Oxygen Consumption

From Anvita Health Wiki

Introduction

• VO2 max is dependent upon maximum cardiac output, the ability of the lungs to oxygenate blood pumped by the heart & O2 extraction by skeletal muscle.
  

• The capacity of oxygen transport system
  
• cardiac output ( CO) x arterial-venous O2 difference
  
• VO2 max declines with age in sedentary individuals, about 1%/year (40% between the ages of 30 & 70). Training increases VO2 max by increasing cardiac output & O2 extraction by skeletal muscle, but does not diminish the rate of decline.
  
• The decline in VO2 max with age is largely a result of a decline in: [2]

• forced expiratory volume in 1 second ( FEV1)
• maximum heart rate
• ability of skeletal muscle to metabolize oxygen [4]
  The rate of decline may be slightly slower in women than in men; No means of slowing the rate of decline is known.
  It has been predicted that the deline in VO2 max with age will intersect the minimal oxygen consumption necessary to avoid hypoxia at an age of ~115 years, roughly the maximum life span of humans.

References

1. Mader SL. In: Intensive Course in Geriatric Medicine & Board Review, Marina Del Ray, CA, Sept 29-Oct 2, 2004
2. Hollenberg M, Yang J, Haight TJ, Tager IB. Longitudinal changes in aerobic capacity: implications for concepts of aging. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2006 Aug;61(8):851-8. PMID: [1]
3. Saunders Manual of Medical Practice, Rakel (ed), WB Saunders, Philadelphia, 1996, pg 224
4. Betik AC, Hepple RT. Determinants of VO2 max decline with aging: an integrated perspective. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2008 Feb;33(1):130-40. PMID: &dopt=Abstract

maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max)