#67 - Limitations to VO2 max with Professor Jose Calbet
Oct 7, 2023
auto_awesome
Professor José Calbet, global leader in his field, discusses the limitations to VO2 max. Topics include factors determining VO2 max, effects of VO2 max on exercise performance, oxygen delivery as the main limiting factor, differences in VO2 max between males and females, pseudoanemia in endurance athletes, the role of genetics and exercise in VO2 max, blood flow restraint to maintain blood pressure, and VO2 max in masters athletes.
The potential for a high VO2 max is determined by genetic factors and can only be maximized through training.
During exercise, maintaining blood pressure while delivering enough blood to working muscles requires a balance of vasodilation and vasoconstriction.
The type of exercise and spinal cord injuries can impact blood pressure regulation during exercise.
Regular physical activity is vital for cardiovascular health and can lead to a better quality of life and decreased risk of chronic diseases.
Deep dives
Factors influencing VO2 max
The potential for a high VO2 max is determined by genetic factors such as muscle fiber type and heart size. Training can only maximize this potential. Adaptability to training also plays a role, with some individuals having a higher capacity to respond to training than others.
Maintaining blood pressure during exercise
During exercise, the body needs to maintain blood pressure while delivering enough blood to the working muscles. This requires a balance of vasodilation and vasoconstriction. Vasodilation allows for increased blood flow, but too much dilation can cause a drop in blood pressure. Restraining vasodilation ensures sufficient blood pressure to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the muscles.
Differences between arm and leg exercise
The type of exercise, whether it's arm or leg exercise, can affect blood pressure regulation. In arm exercise, a higher blood pressure is needed to pump blood against gravity, which helps increase blood flow. In leg exercise, maintaining or slightly restraining vasodilation is important to prevent a drop in blood pressure and maintain blood flow to the brain.
Effects of spinal cord injuries
Spinal cord injuries can impact blood pressure regulation during exercise. Those with high-level injuries may not have a functional sympathetic system, resulting in difficulty maintaining blood pressure. In contrast, individuals with lower-level injuries and a preserved sympathetic system may have hypertension but better blood pressure control during exercise.
The Importance of Physical Activity for Cardiovascular Health
One key takeaway from this podcast episode is the vital importance of being physically active for maintaining cardiovascular health. Regular physical activity helps the cardiovascular system function better and slows down the aging process. Engaging in physical activity can lead to a better quality of life and decrease the risk of chronic diseases.
The Role of VO2 Max in Longevity
Another significant point discussed in the episode is the relationship between VO2 max (maximum oxygen uptake) and longevity. Studies have shown that individuals with higher VO2 max tend to live longer. VO2 max serves as an indicator of how efficiently the body functions and how well it handles stress and exercise. Having a higher VO2 max is associated with increased life expectancy.
Controversies Surrounding Intermittent Hypoxia and Performance Enhancement
The topic of intermittent hypoxia and its supposed benefits for performance enhancement was addressed in the episode. Despite claims made by some, there is controversy around the effectiveness of hypoxia training or using substances that act as vasodilators to enhance oxygen delivery. While short periods of hypoxia might have minimal effects on increasing red blood cell count, the evidence suggests that these interventions do not significantly improve VO2 max or performance.
Dr Glenn McConell chats with Professor José Calbet from the University of Las Palmas de Gran, Canary Islands, Spain. José has a very strong research record and is a global leader in his field. He has done amazing invasive exercise studies in humans to determine the limiting factor(s) to VO2 max. We talked about what is VO2 max, the factors determining VO2 max, the limits to VO2 max, the effects of VO2 max on exercise performance, pseudoanemia, VO2 max in females, VO2 max in masters athletes etc. In general he is finding the oxygen delivery is the main limiting factor to VO2 max. A very interesting, long chat. Twitter: @GRHEFS_ULPGC
0:00. Introduction and how José got into exercise research 4:55. Links with Bengt Saltin and University of Copenhagen 9:12. What is VO2 max? 10:59. Cardiac output and blood pressure 14:15. Blood pressure can drop near VO2 max 15:30. Maximum heart rate/ stroke volume 17:50. Submaximal exercise in trained vs untrained 19:06. Oxygen extraction during exercise 24:40. Main limiting factor to VO2 max 27:41. Capillaries and muscle mitochondria 30:31. Hemoglobin concentration and oxygen delivery 32:40. Athletes limited by oxygen delivery/temptation of EPO 34:35. VO2 max in women: lower hemoglobin 38:19. Pseudoanemia in endurance athletes 45:42. How does high Hb mass improve submax performance? 49:42. Role of genetics and ex training in VO2 max 56:18. Responders and non responded to exercise training? 58:50. Blood flow restraint to maintain blood pressure 1:05:35. Masters athletes vs young untrained 1:12:43. Ex training can slow the decease in max HR with age 1:17:51. Does life long exercise slow the reduction in VO2 max? 1:21:19. Loss of mitochondria with age vs inactivity 1:24:40. David Costill. 70 ml/kg/min VO2 max enough? 1:31:50. Sex differences in metabolism during exercise 1:36:00. How does creatine supplementation reduce VO2 max? 1:37:29. How know how close to VO2 max potential you are at? 1:42:38. Hyperthermia, ventilation and blood flow 1:45:41. Can increase VO2 max by giving vasodilators? 1:48:05. Hypoxia doesn’t increase VO2 max 1:49:44. Takeaway messages 1:50:40. VO2 max and life expectancy 1:53:00. José feels lucky/Bengt Saltin/University of Copenhagen 1:54:32. Outro (9 seconds) Inside Exercise brings to you the who's who of research in exercise metabolism, exercise physiology and exercise’s effects on health. With scientific rigor, these researchers discuss popular exercise topics while providing practical strategies for all. The interviewer, Emeritus Professor Glenn McConell, has an international research profile following 30 years of Exercise Metabolism research experience while at The University of Melbourne, Ball State University, Monash University, the University of Copenhagen and Victoria University. He has published over 120 peer reviewed journal articles and recently edited an Exercise Metabolism eBook written by world experts on 17 different topics (https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-94305-9). Connect with Inside Exercise and Glenn McConell at: Twitter: @Inside_exercise and @GlennMcConell1 Instagram: insideexercise Facebook: Glenn McConell LinkedIn: Glenn McConell https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenn-mcconell-83475460 ResearchGate: Glenn McConell Email: glenn.mcconell@gmail.com Subscribe to Inside exercise: Spotify: shorturl.at/tyGHL Apple Podcasts: shorturl.at/oFQRU YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@insideexercise Anchor: https://anchor.fm/insideexercise Google Podcasts: shorturl.at/bfhHI Anchor: https://anchor.fm/insideexercise Podcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/4025218 Not medical advice
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
