When your body isn’t using oxygen efficiently, intense workouts can become increasingly challenging. Vivify Medical offers advanced VO2 max testing to evaluate your oxygen consumption and assess your fitness and cardiac endurance levels. Board-certified cardiologist Amnon Beniaminovitz, MD, provides personalized recommendations to increase your VO2 max score, so you can perform at peak levels during exercise or when playing sports. Call the office in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan, New York, today to learn more about the benefits of VO2 max testing or book a consultation online. 

What is VO2 max?

VO2 max is the maximum amount of oxygen the body can use during intense exercise. The ‘V’ represents volume, and the O2 refers to oxygen.

The VO2 max measurement is an indicator of a person’s aerobic endurance and fitness level. The higher your VO2 max is, the better your athletic performance and cardiovascular health are.

Increasing your VO2 max is possible with strategies like resistance exercises and high-intensity interval training (HIIT).

Vivify Medical offers comprehensive VO2 max evaluations for adults. Dr. Beniaminovitz also provides personalized guidance to improve your VO2 max, physical endurance, and cardiovascular function.

Which factors influence my VO2 max?

A normal VO2 max depends on a person’s gender, age, and fitness level. You reach peak VO2 max in young adulthood, and the number generally declines with age.

A higher VO2 max indicates that your body is using oxygen efficiently. Men may have a higher VO2 max than women because of differences in cardiovascular capacity and overall muscle mass.

Lifestyle also influences VO2 max. Athletes and individuals who exercise and train regularly likely have a higher VO2 max than those who live a sedentary lifestyle. If you smoke, have poor sleep habits, or have unmanaged stress, it can lower your VO2 max.

Other factors that influence VO2 max include:

• Genetics
• Nutrition
• Body composition
• Location altitude
• Underlying heart disease and other health conditions

Dr. Beniaminovitz offers various in-office tests to measure your VO2 max, including exercise stress testing to monitor how much oxygen you take in when walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike.

How can I improve my VO2 max?

There are several ways you can improve your VO2 max to enhance your fitness level and reduce your risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Dr. Beniaminovitz may recommend vigorous aerobic exercises that get your blood moving and heart pumping. If you’re not able to engage in intense physical activity, he might suggest a daily walking routine to improve your VO2 max score.

Changing your workout routine can also improve your cardiovascular health by forcing your heart to work harder and adapt to change. For instance, if you’re a runner, you can switch up your routine by swimming or cycling.

Call Vivify Medical today to schedule a VO2 max evaluation or book a consultation online.