VO2 Max
mL of oxygen / kg of body weight / minute
Estimated maximal oxygen uptake: the upper limit of aerobic energy production. A primary indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness.
Typical optimal range 38 - 55
Population median 35
Key factors
- Aerobic training volume and consistency
- Body weight and composition
- Physical exertion history and age
What affects this metric
- Regular aerobic training raises VO2 max over months.
- Accurate age, weight, and heart rate data improve the estimate.
- Smoking and low iron status lower it.
- Weight change alters the estimate, since it is expressed per kilogram.
- It declines with age and with extended inactivity.
- Altitude, heat, and illness affect the estimate short term.
References
Peer-reviewed sources supporting the key factors, contributing factors, and typical optimal range shown above.
- Kaminsky LA, Arena R, Myers J. Reference standards for cardiorespiratory fitness measured with cardiopulmonary exercise testing: data from the Fitness Registry and the Importance of Exercise National Database (FRIEND). Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2015;90(11):1515–1523. doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2015.07.026
- Fleg JL, Morrell CH, Bos AG, et al.. Accelerated longitudinal decline of aerobic capacity in healthy older adults. Circulation. 2005;112(5):674–682. doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.105.545459
- Fuller D, Colwell E, Low J, et al.. Reliability and validity of commercially available wearable devices for measuring steps, energy expenditure, and heart rate: systematic review. JMIR mHealth and uHealth. 2020;8(9):e18694. doi.org/10.2196/18694
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Talk to your clinician about your own results.