Biology of VO2max: looking under the physiology lamp
Abstract
In this review, we argue that several key features of maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2 max) should underpin discussions about the biological and reductionist determinants of its interindividual variability: (i) training‐induced increases in VO 2 max are largely facilitated by expansion of red blood cell volume and an associated improvement in stroke volume, which also adapts independent of changes in red blood cell volume. These general concepts are also informed by cross‐sectional studies in athletes that have very high values for VO 2 max. Therefore, (ii) variations in VO 2 max improvements with exercise training are also likely related to variations in these physiological determinants. (iii) All previously untrained individuals will respond to endurance exercise training in terms of improvements in VO 2 max provided the stimulus exceeds a certain volume and/or intensity. Thus, genetic analysis and/or reductionist studies performed to understand or predict such variations might focus specifically on DNA variants or other molecular phenomena of relevance to these physiological pathways.
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The unexplained variance in ∆VO2max could be partially attributed to non-assessed adaptations modulating cardiac output and its distribution.
“Yet, approximately half of the variance in ∆VO 2max remained unexplained, which could be partially attributed to non-assessed adaptations modulating cardiac output and its distribution (Boushel et al., 2014;Lundby et al., 2016).”
From Refuting the myth of non‐response to exercise training: ‘non‐responders’ do respond to higher dose of training (2017) · cites this paper as Lundby et al., 2016
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Skeletal muscle energy metabolism during exercise
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- Authors
- Lundby, C., Montero, D., & Joyner, M.
- Affiliations
- University of Zurich (CH)
- University Hospital Zurich (CH)
- Mayo Clinic (US)
- Corresponding author
- Lundby, C.
- Venue
- Acta Physiologica
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2016-11-25
- Volume
- 220
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 218-228
- ISSN
- 1748-1708 (ISSN-L)
- 1748-1716
- OpenAlex
- W2557219951
- Cited by
- 300
- References
- 6
- Citations by year
- 2026: 22 · 2025: 51 · 2024: 32 · 2023: 33 · 2022: 43 · 2021: 33 · 2020: 26 · 2019: 30 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 1
- FWCI
- 4.43
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Acta Physiologica (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (acceptedVersion)
- Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetics and Physical Performance
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
- Keywords
- VO2max, interindividual variability, exercise training response, erythrocyte volume, stroke volume, endurance training, untrained individuals, DNA variants
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena, Humans, Oxygen Consumption, Physical Endurance, Respiratory Physiological Phenomena
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