“VO 2 max is the gold standard for measuring cardiorespiratory fitness,” notes Dr. “So by knowing how much oxygen we consume, that’s how we can determine your VO 2 max.”Ĭertain fitness trackers and devices can also estimate your VO 2 max by using your heart rate. “We can then use that data to develop an exercise prescription with specific heart training zones to maximize the burning of fat for individuals interested in weight loss,” says Dr.

Your heart rate will also be monitored at different exercise intensities. Kampert.īy measuring how much oxygen is converted to carbon dioxide, you’ll find out how many calories you burn at different levels of exercise intensity. “We can determine the volume of air you moved with your breath and also the composition of carbon dioxide and oxygen,” says Dr. Typically, you’ll wear a mask over your face to record your oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production while running on a treadmill, riding a bike or doing some other form of cardiovascular task. You can find out your VO 2 max number by performing a cardiopulmonary exercise test at your doctor’s office or exercise medicine lab. While VO 2 max tends to decline in age, regular exercise can greatly slow this decline. There isn’t one golden number for each person, but professional athletes tend to have a higher VO 2 max number. Having a higher VO 2 max number typically means you’re in good cardiovascular shape, but you could also increase your VO 2 max by losing body fat.

VO 2 max is typically measured in milliliters of oxygen consumed in a minute per kilogram of body weight (mL/kg/min). “During exercise, the body will use oxygen and produce carbon dioxide, which is let out as you breathe,” explains Dr. As you breathe in oxygen, it powers a metabolic reaction within your muscle cells that gives your muscles energy called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). You breathe faster and deeper while exercising because your body needs more energy to work VO 2 max shows how well your heart pushes blood to your muscles and how efficiently your muscles can extract that oxygen from your circulating blood. Having an idea of what your VO 2 max is can help when it comes to training for sports, improving your health and getting the most out of your workout. “It gives you a good idea of how effective your training is.” How to measure your VO 2 max

“It gives you an objective view of your health,” says Dr. Sports medicine physician Matthew Kampert, DO, MS, explains how to measure your VO 2 max and how to improve it. V is for volume, O 2 is for oxygen and max is for maximum. VO 2 max - or your oxygen uptake - shows how much oxygen your body absorbs and uses while working out. Policyīut there’s another indicator that can help you improve your aerobic fitness. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.

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