VO2 Max: Understanding the Highest Recorded Values and How to Improve Yours

Who Has the Highest VO2 Max Ever?

The highest officially recorded VO2 max belongs to Norwegian cyclist Oskar Svendsen, who achieved an astonishing 97.5 mL/kg/min at the age of 18 in 2012. While exceptional, it's important to understand that such elite figures are exceedingly rare and influenced by a complex interplay of genetics and rigorous training.

Understanding VO2 Max: The Gold Standard of Aerobic Fitness

VO2 max, or maximal oxygen uptake, is a crucial physiological measure that represents the maximum amount of oxygen your body can utilize during intense, incremental exercise. It is widely considered the most accurate indicator of an individual's cardiorespiratory fitness and aerobic endurance.

How it's measured: VO2 max is typically measured in a laboratory setting using a treadmill or stationary bike, where the exerciser wears a mask to collect and analyze the volume and gas concentration of inhaled and exhaled air. The test progressively increases in intensity until the individual reaches their maximum effort.

Units of Measurement: VO2 max is expressed in milliliters of oxygen per kilogram of body weight per minute (mL/kg/min). This normalization by body weight allows for a more accurate comparison between individuals of different sizes. A higher number indicates a greater capacity for oxygen delivery and utilization, translating to superior aerobic performance.

Why it matters:

• Athletic Performance: Elite endurance athletes, such as long-distance runners, cyclists, and cross-country skiers, consistently exhibit very high VO2 max values, as their sports demand exceptional aerobic capacity.
• Health Indicator: Beyond performance, a healthy VO2 max is strongly correlated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, improved metabolic health, and increased longevity.

The Highest Recorded VO2 Max Values

While Oskar Svendsen holds the highest widely cited record, several other elite athletes have demonstrated extraordinary aerobic capacities. It's crucial to note that direct comparisons can be challenging due to variations in testing protocols, equipment, and laboratory conditions over time.

Male Athletes:

• Oskar Svendsen (Cycling): The Norwegian junior cyclist's 97.5 mL/kg/min in 2012 stands as the highest documented VO2 max. This exceptional value was recorded during a test at Lillehammer University College.
• Bjørn Dæhlie (Cross-Country Skiing): The legendary Norwegian cross-country skier, one of the most decorated Winter Olympians, reportedly achieved values in the range of 90-96 mL/kg/min during his career. Cross-country skiing is known for demanding among the highest aerobic capacities.
• Greg LeMond (Cycling): The American cycling icon and multiple Tour de France winner recorded a VO2 max of approximately 92.5 mL/kg/min in his prime.
• Kilian Jornet (Trail Running/Ski Mountaineering): The renowned Spanish ultra-endurance athlete and mountaineer has reported values in the low 90s (around 92 mL/kg/min), showcasing his incredible aerobic engine for extreme endurance events.

Female Athletes: Elite female endurance athletes also demonstrate remarkably high VO2 max values, though generally lower than their male counterparts due to physiological differences (e.g., typically smaller heart and lung size, lower hemoglobin levels).

• Joan Benoit Samuelson (Marathon Running): The American Olympic gold medalist in the marathon reportedly had a VO2 max around 78.6 mL/kg/min.
• Many other elite female endurance athletes, particularly in sports like long-distance running, cycling, and cross-country skiing, regularly record values in the mid-to-high 70s.

General Population Comparison: For context, the average VO2 max for a healthy, untrained young male is typically around 35-40 mL/kg/min, and for a healthy, untrained young female, it's around 27-31 mL/kg/min. These numbers decline with age and inactivity.

Factors Influencing VO2 Max

An individual's VO2 max is a complex trait influenced by several key factors:

• Genetics: Genetic predisposition plays a significant role, accounting for an estimated 20-50% of an individual's VO2 max. Some people are simply born with a greater inherent capacity for oxygen transport and utilization. This includes genetic factors influencing heart size, lung capacity, capillary density, and mitochondrial efficiency.
• Training Status: Regular and appropriate endurance training is the most powerful modifiable factor. Consistent aerobic exercise can significantly improve VO2 max by enhancing the heart's pumping capacity (stroke volume), increasing blood volume and red blood cell count, and improving the muscles' ability to extract and utilize oxygen.
• Age: VO2 max generally peaks in an individual's late teens to early twenties and gradually declines with age, typically by about 1% per year after age 30, even in active individuals.
• Sex: On average, males tend to have higher VO2 max values than females, primarily due to differences in body composition (higher lean muscle mass, lower body fat percentage), larger heart and lung sizes, and higher hemoglobin concentrations.
• Altitude: Living or training at high altitude can stimulate adaptations that improve VO2 max, such as increased red blood cell production, although acute exposure to high altitude will temporarily decrease measured VO2 max due to lower atmospheric oxygen pressure.

Can You Improve Your VO2 Max?

Absolutely. While genetics set a ceiling, most individuals can significantly improve their VO2 max through targeted training.

Effective Training Strategies:

• High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): This involves short bursts of very intense exercise followed by brief recovery periods. HIIT is highly effective at improving VO2 max by stressing both the cardiovascular system and the muscles' aerobic capacity. Examples include sprint intervals on a track or bike.
• Long, Slow Distance (LSD) Training: While HIIT is potent, a foundation of consistent, moderate-intensity aerobic work (e.g., long runs, cycles) builds the endurance base necessary for sustained high-intensity efforts. This improves the heart's stroke volume and mitochondrial density.
• Consistency and Progressive Overload: Regular training is key. To continue improving, you must progressively challenge your body by increasing duration, intensity, or frequency of your workouts.

The Limits of Human Potential

The extreme VO2 max values seen in elite athletes like Oskar Svendsen represent the pinnacle of human aerobic potential. These individuals typically possess a rare combination of exceptional genetic gifts and years of dedicated, highly structured training. It's a testament to the body's adaptability and the power of focused effort.

While most people will never achieve such stratospheric numbers, the pursuit of improving one's own VO2 max is a highly beneficial endeavor for both athletic performance and overall health.

Conclusion: Beyond the Numbers

While the question of "who has the highest VO2 max" is fascinating, it's important to remember that VO2 max is just one metric. A high VO2 max is a strong indicator of aerobic fitness, but it doesn't tell the whole story of an athlete's success or an individual's health. Factors like mental toughness, skill, strategy, and injury resilience are equally critical for athletic achievement, and a holistic approach to fitness and well-being encompasses much more than a single physiological number. Focus on consistent training, healthy habits, and enjoying the process of improving your own unique physical capabilities.