VO2 Max Declines as You Age—Use These Tips to Keep It Steady

Most cyclists, at some point, want to see how fast and hard they can go, even for just a few minutes. Riding at that nearly all-out intensity, when you’re breathing heavy and can barely talk, is likely your VO₂ max (or close to it). Scientifically speaking, VO₂ max is the maximum amount of oxygen your body can take in and use and it’s a marker of your cardiovascular fitness level. For a variety of reasons, VO₂ max naturally decreases as you get older. Fortunately, athletes are more likely to minimize this decline through consistent and purposeful training. Read on for more information about VO₂ max by age, including how it’s determined, and how to make sure your rides help maintain this important metric as you get older. [View in Browser]( [Bicycling]( [SHOP]( [EXCLUSIVE]( [SUBSCRIBE]( [VO2 Max Declines as You Age—Use These Tips to Keep It Steady]( [VO2 Max Declines as You Age—Use These Tips to Keep It Steady]( [VO2 Max Declines as You Age—Use These Tips to Keep It Steady]( Most cyclists, at some point, want to see how fast and hard they can go, even for just a few minutes. Riding at that nearly all-out intensity, when you’re breathing heavy and can barely talk, is likely your VO₂ max (or close to it). Scientifically speaking, VO₂ max is the maximum amount of oxygen your body can take in and use and it’s a marker of your cardiovascular fitness level. For a variety of reasons, VO₂ max naturally decreases as you get older. Fortunately, athletes are more likely to minimize this decline through consistent and purposeful training. Read on for more information about VO₂ max by age, including how it’s determined, and how to make sure your rides help maintain this important metric as you get older. Most cyclists, at some point, want to see how fast and hard they can go, even for just a few minutes. Riding at that nearly all-out intensity, when you’re breathing heavy and can barely talk, is likely your VO₂ max (or close to it). Scientifically speaking, VO₂ max is the maximum amount of oxygen your body can take in and use and it’s a marker of your cardiovascular fitness level. For a variety of reasons, VO₂ max naturally decreases as you get older. Fortunately, athletes are more likely to minimize this decline through consistent and purposeful training. Read on for more information about VO₂ max by age, including how it’s determined, and how to make sure your rides help maintain this important metric as you get older. [Read More]( [Read More](       [When in Doubt, Gas Station Food Is All You Need to Fuel Your Cycling]( [When in Doubt, Gas Station Food Is All You Need to Fuel Your Cycling]( We polled framebuilder Li King on some of cycling’s most polarizing questions. Take the quiz to see how you stack up. [Read More](   [This Is the Best Move to Do Before a Ride or After a Long Work Day]( [This Is the Best Move to Do Before a Ride or After a Long Work Day]( Add these glute bridge exercises to your next preride warmup or strength-training session. [Read More]( [What’s the Deal With Crankarm Length? Here’s What You Need to Know]( [What’s the Deal With Crankarm Length? Here’s What You Need to Know]( Should we all be like Tadej Pogačar and ride shorter cranks? [Read More](   [Custom Bike Builders Sweat the Details at MADE Show]( [Custom Bike Builders Sweat the Details at MADE Show]( The small touches make all the difference on bicycles; these are our editors’ favorite small details on bikes at MADE Show 2024. [Read More](     [NHL Star and His Brother Killed By Driver While on a Bike Ride—a Day Before Their Sister’s Wedding]( [NHL Star and His Brother Killed By Driver While on a Bike Ride—a Day Before Their Sister’s Wedding]( According to police reports, the driver who struck and killed Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol. [Read More](   [90-Day Transformation Challenge: Abs]( [LiveIntent Logo]( [AdChoices Logo]( [Need Assistance? Contact Us.](mailto:membersupport@bicycling.com) Follow Us [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Notice]( | [CA Notice at Collection]( Bicycling is a publication of Hearst Magazines. ©2024 Hearst Magazines, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This email was sent by Hearst Magazines, 300 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019-3779