VO₂ Max and Running Technique
VO₂ Max and Running Technique: What’s the Connection?
- • VO₂ max = your aerobic capacity
- • Running technique = how efficiently you use that capacity
- • Better technique = lower oxygen demand = improved performance
How Running Technique Affects VO₂ Max Performance
1. Running Economy = Oxygen Efficiency
- • Good technique improves running economy — the amount of oxygen required to maintain a given pace.
- • A runner with poor form may use more oxygen at a given speed, reducing how close they can operate to their VO₂ max.
Key point: You could have a high VO₂ max, but without efficient mechanics, you’ll burn through it faster and fatigue sooner.
2. Energy Cost of Movement
- • Excessive vertical bounce (oscillation), overstriding, or poor posture increase energy cost and oxygen demand.
- • A runner with poor form may use more oxygen at a given speed, reducing how close they can operate to their VO₂ max.
3. Improved Technique Can Lower VO₂ at Submax Pace
- • Studies show that better-trained runners often have lower VO₂ at a given pace due to more efficient mechanics.
Real-World Example
Two runners with the same VO₂ max (60 ml/kg/min):
- • Runner A has poor technique — needs 55 ml/kg/min to run at 5:00/km pace
- • Runner B has better form — only needs 45 ml/kg/min to run at same pace
Runner B can therefore run faster at the same relative effort — even though both have the same VO₂ max.
Summary
They’re not the same — but they work together to define performance.
Book Your VO₂ Max and Running Technique Test today!
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Physiotherapist Treatment – Dublin 15 and Dublin 24
At a Physiotherapy appointment in our Castleknock, Blanchardstown or Tallaght clinic, treatment will include manual therapy to the soft tissues, tendons, ligaments, muscles and joints. Manual therapy can include stretching, massage, manipulation, dry needling and myofascial release.
Physiotherapy can help give pain relief in most cases but often it depends upon the individual and the longevity of the injury or problem. The rate of healing is different for different individuals. The duration of your treatment plan depends upon variations in pain, motivation, perception, and the healing rate of the individual.
Physiotherapist near me
To find the best physiotherapist in Dublin 15 or the best physiotherapist in Dublin 24, please see our contact details & addresses below:
Castleknock GAA Clubhouse
Somerton Road
Castleknock
Dublin 15
Blanchardstown Village Physio clinic:
Somerton Physio Blanchardstown
Valleymount House
The Rise, Main Street, Blanchardstown,
Dublin 15
68 0ld Bawn Road
Tallaght
Dublin 24
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Contact us for further information regarding our Physiotherapy services or book your Physiotherapy appointment online here.
SOMERTON PHYSIOTHERAPY CLINIC – Dublin 15 and Dublin 24
Ph: (01) 9069566