MAXIMUM OXYGEN CONSUMPTION (VO2 MAX)
The volume of oxygen consumed by your body is called your VO2 Max. This oxygen is used for energy production. It is measure in litres of oxygen consumed per minute (L/min). The VO2 max is the measurement of a person's maximum oxygen consumption which is the region where oxygen uptake peaks despite increases in intensity. As larger people tend to take in more oxygen than smaller people, VO2 max is measure relatively in millilitres of oxygen consume per kilogram of body weight per minute (ml/kg/min).
e.g. an athlete that weighs 68 kg and has a VO2 max value of 3.6 litres per minute-their relative oxygen consumption would be (3.6L/min x 1000 =3600mL) 3600/68=52.9 ml/kg/min.
A person's body with a high VO2 max is efficient in producing oxygen (means they are fitter and can work harder).
VO2 max can only be reached while the lactic acid system is dominant.
ONSET OF BLOOD LACTATE ACCUMULATION (OBLA)
Exercise intensities approaching VO2 max can only be reached through the dominant use of the Lactic Acid System with the subsequent formation and accumulation of lactic acid.
'OBLA' is the name given to the amount of maximum intensity of steady state exercise that a person can sustain without accumulating lactic acid. The term 'Lactate Threshold' is another phrase for OBLA.
A person's OBLA determines the maximum exercise intensity they can maintain for an extended period of time without the fatiguing effects of blood lactate accumulation (lactic acid build up). Individuals with higher OBLA values (which are expressed as a percentage of their VO2 max) are the athletes with higher endurance levels.

	Created by mcgrechanl almost 10 years ago

Year 11 PE Note on Vo2 max, OBLA, created by mcgrechanl on 24/06/2014.

Vo2 max, OBLA