vVÃÂO<sub>2</sub>max (velocity at maximal oxygen uptake), also known as maximal aerobic speed (MAS), is an intense running or swimming pace. This is the minimum speed for which the organism's maximal oxygen uptake (VO<sub>2</sub> max) is reached, after a few minutes of constantly maintaining this exercise intensity. At higher paces, any additional increase in power is provided by anaerobic processes. In an incremental exercise test, it is the first speed at which any increase in exercise intensity fails to elicit an increase in oxygen consumption.
The vVÃÂO<sub>2</sub>max of world class middle- and long-distance runners may exceed or 2:30/km pace ( or about 4:00/mile), making this speed slightly comparable to 3000 m race pace. For many athletes, vVÃÂO<sub>2</sub>max may be slightly slower than or mile race pace.
While a sophisticated lab may be required to obtain precise measures of vVÃÂO<sub>2</sub>max, it can be estimated using a simple field test on a 400 m running track. In a 2015 study of 28 male rugby players, the authors measured vVÃÂO<sub>2</sub>max and then had the subjects perform short time trials (TT) of various distances on the track. Using the average speed of a 2000 m TT gave the best estimate of vVÃÂO<sub>2</sub>max, with the limits of agreement estimated as ñ5%.
For a better estimate, several time trials at distances varying from 1200âÂÂ2200 m could be run, with adequate rest between them (e.g. 48 h in Bellenger et al.). Then vVÃÂO<sub>2</sub>max may be estimated from the following linear equation
where TTs is the average time trial speed, and TTd is the time trial distance in km.
Research by has shown that training at vVÃÂO<sub>2</sub>max pace improves both VÃÂO<sub>2</sub>max and the economy required to maintain pace at this intensity.
Training at vVÃÂO<sub>2</sub>max takes the form of interval workouts. For example, 3â¯ÃÂ⯠with 3 minutes recovery between each repetition.
The formula from Léger and Mercier links the VÃÂO<sub>2</sub>max to the vVÃÂO<sub>2</sub>max, supposing an ideal running technique.
where vVÃÂO<sub>2</sub>max is in km/h and VÃÂO<sub>2</sub>max is in mL/(kgâ¢min).
Note: This formula is identical to that used to calculate the metabolic equivalent of task (MET) score for a given VÃÂO<sub>2</sub>max estimation.