2024 Tech Guide OPTIMAL OXYGEN How the VO2 Max test scores can correlate with athletic success By KORR Medical Technologies A VO2 Max Test is a measurement that reflects a person's ability to perform sustained exercise. It is generally considered the best indicator of cardiovascular fitness and aerobic endurance. The actual measurement is " milliliters of oxygen used in one minute per kilogram of body weight. " It is suitable for a wide range of individuals, from the sedentary to elite athletes. VO2 Max is the maximum rate of oxygen consumption that can be attained during the most intense exercise possible. The measurement requires that the subject breathe into an oxygen consumption analyzer during an all-out effort (usually on a treadmill or bicycle) as part of a graded exercise protocol. These protocols involve specific increases in the speed and intensity of the exercise. While exercising, the person wears a mask to collect all the air he breathes in and out for a measurement of the volume of exhaled gas and the concentration of oxygen in that exhaled gas. This determines how much oxygen is used during each minute of the exercise test. A study from the Bosnian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences explored the correlation between high VO2 Max scores with competitive athletic success. They analyzed the VO2 Max scores of soccer players, volleyball players, and non-athletes and the study revealed that a " high level of aerobic capacity is indispensable for achieving success in many sports; therefore, the determination of VO2 Max is of special importance as it plays the key role in professional sports-it is the reflection of any athlete's physical capability. " This study analyzed a variety of teams within each sport, including professional and amateur teams. For every team in the study, VO2 Max seemed to reflect a player's success and rankings within a match. It was also significant when comparing teams in the same sport, where professionals had statistically higher VO2 Max values compared to amateur players. The study also showed that football players had higher VO2 Max scores than volleyball players, corresponding with the higher degree of endurance required for an " efficient energetic system which would suppor t all 90 min maintaining full strength. " Football 44 | Training & Conditioning | June/July 2024