page_title: VO2 max
section_title: Measurement
hierarchical_section_title: VO2 max / Measurement and calculation / Measurement
caption_attribution_description: English: Gas exchange VCO2 and VO2 during max test. Begin for 3 mins @ 60 watts and add 35 watts every 3 minutes until exhaustion
context_page_description: VO₂ max is the maximum rate of oxygen consumption measured during incremental exercise; that is, exercise of increasing intensity. The name is derived from three abbreviations: "V" for volume, "O₂" for oxygen, and "max" for maximum.
  The measurement of VO₂ max in the laboratory provides a quantitative value of endurance fitness for comparison of individual training effects and between people in endurance training. Maximal oxygen consumption reflects cardiorespiratory fitness and endurance capacity in exercise performance. Elite athletes, such as competitive distance runners, racing cyclists or Olympic cross-country skiers, have a VO₂ max of around 90 mL/, while endurance animals, such as race horses or pronghorn antelopes, have VO₂ max values above 200 mL/.
context_section_description: Accurately measuring VO₂ max involves a physical effort sufficient in duration and intensity to fully tax the aerobic energy system. In general clinical and athletic testing, this usually involves a graded exercise test (either on a treadmill or on a cycle ergometer) in which exercise intensity is progressively increased while measuring: 
  ventilation and
  oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration of the inhaled and exhaled air.
  VO₂ max is reached when oxygen consumption remains at a steady state despite an increase in workload.
caption: Gas exchange of VO2 and VCO2 during max test. Begin for 3 mins at 60 watts and add 35 watts every 3 minutes until exhaustion
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