What is the effect of aerobic training on VO2 max?

What is the effect of aerobic training on VO2 max?

• A. Can be improved up to 10-20% following a period of aerobic training.
• B. VO2 max cannot be changed by training.
• C. VO2 max decreases with aerobic training.
• D. Only resistance training improves VO2 max.

Answer: (A)

VO2 max measures how well the body can deliver and use oxygen at maximal effort. Aerobic training drives several adaptations that boost this capacity: the heart can pump more blood per beat (increasing stroke volume and cardiac output), muscles develop more capillaries to improve oxygen delivery, and mitochondria within muscle fibers become more numerous and efficient at using oxygen. All of these changes mean you can take in, transport, and utilize oxygen more effectively during intense exercise, so VO2 max rises. The typical gain after a period of aerobic training is about 10-20%, though the exact amount depends on how fit you were to start with and how you train (duration, intensity, frequency). Not all training is equal for VO2 max: it can be increased with training, it doesn’t decrease with aerobic training, and while resistance training has its own benefits, aerobic work is the main driver of improvements in VO2 max.

VO2 max measures how well the body can deliver and use oxygen at maximal effort. Aerobic training drives several adaptations that boost this capacity: the heart can pump more blood per beat (increasing stroke volume and cardiac output), muscles develop more capillaries to improve oxygen delivery, and mitochondria within muscle fibers become more numerous and efficient at using oxygen. All of these changes mean you can take in, transport, and utilize oxygen more effectively during intense exercise, so VO2 max rises.

The typical gain after a period of aerobic training is about 10-20%, though the exact amount depends on how fit you were to start with and how you train (duration, intensity, frequency).

Not all training is equal for VO2 max: it can be increased with training, it doesn’t decrease with aerobic training, and while resistance training has its own benefits, aerobic work is the main driver of improvements in VO2 max.