It was found that relating VO 2max to the specific variables of duration and distance a well as speed affects the relationship between VO 2max and age. A different understanding between age and VO 2max resulted. VO 2max , relative to performance, accelerates, rather than declines, through adolescence. To validly comprehend VO 2max , it must be related to a specific maximal performance of a given distance or duration under specific performance conditions. The traditional use of VO 2max produces a spurious understanding for actual performance.
Adolescents increase in aerobic performance for specific tasks as age increases.
Thus, it becomes important to talk of maximal aerobic power for what task rather than just quoting a number as if there is a very simple entity of VO 2max that exists independent of task quality. Performance features must be included in any consideration of aerobic capacity. Return to Table of Contents for this issue .