EP178: How A High VO2 max Helps You Live Longer And Go Faster
Jan 10, 2024
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Unraveling the secrets of VO2 max and its impact on longevity and cycling performance. Tips for improving VO2 max and specific workouts for cyclists. The importance of rest, recovery, and sleep in training. How to work with U19 cyclists and their parents on VO2 max. Guest with experience in the cycling industry provides expert advice on training and lifestyle habits.
39:14
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Quick takeaways
VO2 max is a crucial factor that impacts longevity, health, and performance, and prioritizing training to improve it can unlock its benefits.
Incorporating high-intensity interval sessions focused on reaching and sustaining VO2 max intensity is crucial for improving aerobic capacity and overall endurance performance.
Deep dives
Importance of VO2 max for longevity, health, and performance
VO2 max is a crucial factor that impacts longevity, health, and performance. While other training aspects like zone two, mitochondrial health, and lactate threshold have gained attention, VO2 max remains a significant predictor of quality of life. Having a higher VO2 max leads to better health outcomes and overall performance. It is important for athletes, regardless of their fitness level or age, to prioritize training and improving their VO2 max to unlock its benefits.
Understanding VO2 max and its significance
VO2 max refers to the maximum amount of oxygen that a person can consume during intense exercise. It is a measure of the body's ability to efficiently transport oxygen to the muscles and utilize it for energy. The higher an individual's VO2 max, the more effectively their body can sustain intense activities. It serves as an essential marker of aerobic capacity and plays a significant role in determining endurance athletes' performance and overall health.
Training for improved VO2 max
VO2 max is a trainable aspect of fitness that can be developed through specific training. Incorporating high-intensity interval sessions focused on reaching and sustaining VO2 max intensity is crucial. The length and intensity of these intervals may vary based on an individual's fitness level and goals. Workouts like four-by-four (four intervals of four minutes each) or shorter, on-off style intervals can be effective in improving VO2 max. It is essential to find the right balance between training volume and intensity to avoid overdoing it and ensuring high-quality training sessions.
Considerations for nutrition, sleep, and juniors
While nutrition and sleep play crucial roles in overall health and performance, there are no specific magic foods or supplements that dramatically boost VO2 max. Following a well-rounded diet with a good macronutrient distribution (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) and incorporating colorful, nutrient-rich foods is generally beneficial. Adequate sleep, ideally around eight to nine hours per night, is essential for recovery and optimal performance. Additionally, for junior athletes and their parents, it is important to find a balance between high-intensity training and overall development. By understanding the benefits and value of VO2 max training, juniors can better enjoy and appreciate its role not only in current performance but also in maintaining a healthy lifestyle for years to come.
Prepare to turbocharge your cycling performance and vitality as we team up with physiologist Ryan Kohler to unravel the secrets of VO2 max. Discover how pushing your limits can not only advance your endurance on the bike but also fortify your health for a long and vigorous life. Host Adam Pulford and Ryan Kohler also discuss how to design and execute VO2 max intervals in your training, and how Junior (U19) cyclists should approach high intensity interval training.
Key topics in this episode:
How is VO2 max a key indicator for longevity?
Best ways to improve VO2 max
Specific cycling workouts for increasing VO2 max
Pre-requisites before starting VO2 max workouts
Nutrition factors VO2 max training
Sleep and VO2 max training
Junior development: How to work with U19 cyclists and their parents on VO2 max (it's the opposite method of working with Masters (35+) athletes).
Guest: Ryan Kohler, M.S. Ryan is a career endurance coach with over 20 years experience working with student-athletes and adults in the fields of health/fitness and sports performance. He specializes in science-based approaches to exercise, with a focus on finding the improvements that can make the biggest impact on your lifestyle.
Education:
M.S. in Sports Nutrition from Marywood University
B.S. in Exercise Science from the University of Scranton
Host Adam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for more than 14 years and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.