Changes

Some research uses the term V̇O₂peak rather than V̇O₂max, and while the two are similar, there is an important difference. Where V̇O₂max is the highest O₂ uptake seen, even though exercise intensity has continued to increase, V̇O₂peak is simply the highest O₂ seen<ref name="Whipp"/>. While It's possible for V̇O₂peak can to be the same as V̇O₂max, there but only if the test is terminated at just the right point. The biggest problem with V̇O₂peak is that a lower confidence training program might result in a subject getting better at the test, which would result in a higher V̇O₂peak value, without actually changing their V̇O₂max. For instance, I might have a V̇O₂max of 60, but find the testing protocol so hard that I give up when my V̇O₂ reaches 50 which would only give a V̇O₂peak value. If I do some high intensity training, I'd be more comfortable at these high workloads and I might reach a V̇O₂peak of 55, which would look like a 10% improvement, but is actually not a change in physical fitness.