Very high VO2 max values for females and males: which ranges and sports are associated?

Very high VO2 max values for females and males: which ranges and sports are associated?

• A. Females: 60+ ml/kg/min; Males: 70+ ml/kg/min; Sports: cross-country skiing, middle-distance running, long-distance running
• B. Females: 55-60 ml/kg/min; Males: 65-70 ml/kg/min; Sports: bicycling, rowing, race walking
• C. Females: 50-55 ml/kg/min; Males: 60-65 ml/kg/min; Sports: swimming, basketball
• D. Females: 65-70 ml/kg/min; Males: 75-80 ml/kg/min; Sports: tennis, soccer

Answer: (B)

Very high VO2 max reflects exceptional aerobic capacity that endurance training can elevate. In well-trained athletes, women often reach roughly 55–60 ml/kg/min and men about 65–70 ml/kg/min. Sports like cycling, rowing, and race walking are endurance disciplines that push the oxygen system hard over sustained efforts, so they commonly accompany those high values. Other options tend to pair either even higher ranges that are less typical for these sports or with sports where VO2 max is not as consistently maxed out. So the pairing of 55–60 for women and 65–70 for men with cycling, rowing, and race walking best matches what is typically observed in very high VO2 max athletes.

Very high VO2 max reflects exceptional aerobic capacity that endurance training can elevate. In well-trained athletes, women often reach roughly 55–60 ml/kg/min and men about 65–70 ml/kg/min. Sports like cycling, rowing, and race walking are endurance disciplines that push the oxygen system hard over sustained efforts, so they commonly accompany those high values. Other options tend to pair either even higher ranges that are less typical for these sports or with sports where VO2 max is not as consistently maxed out. So the pairing of 55–60 for women and 65–70 for men with cycling, rowing, and race walking best matches what is typically observed in very high VO2 max athletes.