VO2based

VO2based refers to approaches and tools that rely on oxygen uptake (VO2) data as the primary basis for analysis, modeling, or decision-making in exercise physiology, clinical assessment, and performance optimization. It emphasizes VO2 as a quantitative marker of aerobic capacity and metabolic response.

VO2 is measured during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) using metabolic carts, or with portable gas analyzers during treadmill or cycle protocols. Key metrics include VO2max, VO2 at ventilatory thresholds, and VO2 kinetics, which describe the speed of VO2 changes with workload.

Applications include assessing aerobic fitness, guiding exercise prescription (for example, intensity zones derived from VO2max or ventilatory thresholds), evaluating prognosis in cardiac or pulmonary disease, and monitoring training adaptations over time.

Advantages of VO2based approaches include objective, individualized data, the ability to tailor training or rehabilitation, and comparability across studies. Limitations involve the need for specialized equipment and expertise, potential measurement variability, and the requirement that participants perform adequately during testing. In practice, VO2based analyses are often integrated with other physiological measures such as heart rate, lactate, and perceived exertion to support comprehensive assessment and decision-making.

Related concepts include VO2max, ventilatory thresholds, CPET, and VO2 kinetics.