ABSTRACT
Maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2 max) is internationally recognised as the ‘gold standard’ measure of aerobic fitness. However, as only a minority of youth satisfy the V̇O2 plateau criterion for confirming achievement of V̇O2 max in a single exercise test, it has become conventional to adopt the term peak V̇O2 when discussing measures of youth aerobic fitness. This chapter clarifies the distinction between V̇O2 max and peak V̇O2 It discusses the assessment, interpretation, development, and trainability of peak V̇O2, and explores the mechanisms underpinning age-, maturity status-, and training-induced changes in aerobic fitness.
