VO2 MAX or The maximum consumption of oxygen is the ability of the body to absorb

transport and consume oxygen in a defined time range; it is a very effective way to
measure the level of fitness and aerobic condition of a person. For their measurement,
special equipment is used to calculate the level of oxygen consumed during the aerobic
exercise.

Fick equation is used to obtain the results of VO2 max and is represented by the formula:
VO2 max= Q X Ca O2 – Cv 02, where Q is the cardiac output of the heart, Ca O2 is the
arterial oxygen content, and Cv O2 is the venous oxygen content. Ca O2 – Cv O2 is also
known as the arteriovenous oxygen difference.

To explain the mechanism responsible for the increase in the VO2 max of Mary Ann I’d
like to resume the adaptations of the body to endurance training and the Energetic and
Physiological changes that occur during exercise.

After 6 months of Aerobic training program with running, swimming and cycling the body
produce adaptation to the exercise both in acurate and long term or chronic, the increase
of her VO2 max is determined by the component of the fick equation and respond to the
Overload Principle where the exercise acting like a Stress will demand a response in acute
form and it will later relate to adaptations in chronic form.

During endurance training program the body will increase the energy needed during
exercise and the body will adapt to produce more ATP increasing the numbers of
mitochondria in the muscle.

Also, increase in maximal cardiac output with endurance training is not due to an
increase in maximal heart rate but a result of an increase in maximal stroke volume.
Mechanisms for the increase in maximal stroke volume include an increase in cardiac
contractility (strength of contraction) and greater ventricular filling (increase in end
diastolic volume).
The oxygen consumption is the function of cardiac output and the arteriovenous oxygen
difference; the two main factors responsible for the increase in arteriovenous oxygen
difference are a greater rate of oxygen delivery accomplished by in an increase in local
muscle blood flow and a greater rate of oxygen utilization as mitochondria consumed
greater amounts of oxygen for ATP productions.

In resume the maximal (a-v)O2 difference is increased due to the following three factors:
increase in red blood cell numbers, increase in muscle capillary density and local blood
flow, and increase in mitochondrial number.

This confirms that and endurance training will result in an increase in maximal oxygen
consumption and improving the aerobic condition and fitness level of the person.

JEAN CARLOS GUTIERREZ VERA