MAX VO2 functionally represents the maximum amount of oxygen
that can be removed from circulating blood and used by the
working tissues during a specified period. World class endurance
athletes generally have high readings.
Maximum Oxygen Update (Max VO2) values for selected groups and individuals
are as follows:
- General Population, Female, Aged 20-29: 35-43 ml/kg/min
- General Population, Male, Aged 20-29: 44-51
- US College Track, Male: 57.4
- College Students, Male: 44.6
- Highest Recorded Female (Cross-Country Skier): 74
- Highest Recorded Male (Cross-Country Skier): 94
- Steve Prefontaine,US runner, 84.4
- Frank Shorter, US Olympic Marathon winner, 71.3
- Grete Waitz, Norwegian Marathon/10K runner, 73.5
- Ingrid Kristiansen, ex-Marathon World Record Holder, 71.2
- Derek Clayton, Australian ex-Marathon World Record holder, 69.7
- Rosa Mota, Marathon runner, 67.2
- Jeff Galloway, US Runner, 73.0
- Paula Ivan, Russian Olympic 1500M Record Holder, 71.0
- Jarmila Krotochvilova,Czech Olympian 400M/800M winner, 72.8
- Greg LeMond, professional cyclist, 92.5
- Matt Carpenter, Pikes Peak marathon course record holder, 92
- Miguel Indurain, professional cyclist, 88
Although precise measurements are done on
a treadmill with equipment measuring oxygen uptake, you can
estimate yours from a recent running race. The race distance
should be between about one mile and a marathon (or about 1500 meters to
50 km). Distances outside this range will not give meaningful results,
since performance is limited by factors other than VO2 MAX.
You can also use this form to predict your performance at other
distances. Once you find your VO2 MAX, try entering times for
other distances that give the same value. As an example I (Ken Parker)
have used this formula to estimate my VO2 MAX for my PBs from 1500M to
the Marathon. The results were: (1500M - 4:24 - 62.9) (3000M - 9:36 - 61.63)
(5000M - 16:59 - 60.26) (10K - 35:30 - 59.73) (Marathon - 2:42:45 - 60.27).
My actual VO2 Max as calculated on several occasions in the Ottawa University lab
during the time of these performances was 62.5.
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