New ideas on limitations to VO2max.
VO2max indicates maximal oxidative metabolic capacity (unfit subjects) or maximal O2 supply (athletes). The latter reflects integration of all transport steps from air to cytochromes. Every step contributes something; the importance of each contribution varies with conditions. Cardiac output seems most important at sea level; at higher altitudes, lung/muscle diffusion are more critical.
Wagner
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Division of Physiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0623A, La Jolla, CA 92093-0623, USA. pdwagner@ucsd.edu
D000531:Altitude; D002302:Cardiac Output; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D011653:Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity