Why a higher VO2 Max isn’t always better, & the difference b/w maximum aerobic capacity & efficiency

This clip is from The Drive podcast: #151​ - Alex Hutchinson, Ph.D.: Translating the science of endurance and extreme human performance. Originally released on February 28, 2021, you can watch the full interview here: bit.ly/3wjwAU4
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The Peter Attia Drive is a weekly, ultra-deep-dive podcast focusing on maximizing health, longevity, critical thinking…and a few other things. With over 30 million episodes downloaded, it features topics including fasting, ketosis, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, mental health, and much more.
Peter is a physician focusing on the applied science of longevity. His practice deals extensively with nutritional interventions, exercise physiology, sleep physiology, emotional and mental health, and pharmacology to increase lifespan (delay the onset of chronic disease), while simultaneously improving healthspan (quality of life).
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[@JohnSmith-mt5ok]

Great to have 96 at 17 age, but what’s like at 50 or 60? It’s hard to keep vo2max high when older, a daily struggle actually. Think that low RHR plays a part too, mine is as low as 39 (at age 57), with vo2max of 54, but this drops to 45 in winter, weather plays a part too, i.e. UK cold. Forgot to say I have dementia, I do triathlon to stop the mental decline, and it works too, was given 5 years at diagnosis, that was 7 years ago, no decline for 3 years. Intense exercise doesn’t cure dementia but it can freeze symptom progression. As always great content Peter 😊 Think your content, especially those on Vo2max have saved my life, thank you.

[@zmm4725]

An inspiration! Keep working hard - keep out the old man!

[@user-pl6wx5fp9b]

That’s amazing man. You are a warrior and inspiration

[@fredswolen894]

I’m curious. When people are diagnosed with a severe disease they usually tend to also change their lives around and diets. Which could indicate that it might not only be the exercise (the reason for your dementia not developing further) So : 1) have you changed your diet? What is your diet like? 2) has it changed your outlook on life and if so, have you gotten more social/close/family-oriented with the diagnosis ? I’d love to see what most affected the dementia Thanks

[@JohnSmith-mt5ok]

Hi Fred thank for the question, still have young kids, no way I’m leaving them or my wife. Re: diet, plays a big part, I’m heavily in fasting, intermittent 24/7, full fasting ie no food for 72 hours every two weeks. Initially I was able to lose 7 stones in a couple of months like this, so no food, but running every day, I also skip 3 times a day with a weighted rope. That’s not to say this is all year round I take a break from November to February. My bones are weaker now and I tend to suffer lower leg injuries in the winter. I’d have to say diet and exercise, though I have vascular dementia, which I’m told by my consultant is called diabetes type 3. So dementia defo caused by bad lifestyle, plus I was heavily into cocaine when young, consultant said this “might” be why, but no evidence to support this. I’m no longer a diabetic, off lots of drugs, lower blood pressure, low cholesterol, but as I said this slips a little in the winter, but from about march/April I start full on fasting and exercise. I’d have to say exercise has a greater impact, as I can eat a ton of carbs, and burn it off with a 10+ mile run. Whereas just eating well will still result in weight gain, because I still eat a lot, needed for energy etc Also jumping rope burns a lot, my Garmin thinks I’m running, can easily achieve 20k steps every day, that’s for a 10k run, much more when I travel further.

[@johnmclaughlin4802]

@@user-pl6wx5fp9bdo you use and any thing for Harmon optimization like TRT ?

[@uelude]

Peter, this is so massively a key counterpoint to much of what you enjoy discussing. Wouldn't it be awesome to delve deeper with a biochemist who can explain this inverse relationship on a biological systems basis.

[@tfmajka13]

Only people with high VO2max's say that a high VO2max isn't important. 😂

[@davidsfc9]

It’s just like rich people then 😂

[@giehlemanns]

they are not saying that it's not important, they are saying that there nuances to this

[@perryscifi]

Hi, just discovered your channer and I must admit- it is great!! Btw. when we talked about extreme human performance i think analyzing sport called freediving should be interesting for you in terms of some fizjological process there. Best freedivers could hold breath over 10 minutes or dive more than 100m deep holding breath. Amazing sport and really interesting from fizjological point of view. Have a great day :D.

[@tatsumakisempyukaku]

I did one of those 4 minute hard-4 minute working rest today based on what Attia said on a recent rogan podcast. That shit made me feel like throwing up after I was done. I did it on a spin bike.

[@nithin1477]

dont push yourself so hard, Peter attia is a lifelong endurance athlete. gradually build it up. 1 minute hard is fine

[@surrealistidealist]

7:46 Fascinating! Any recommended readings for learning more about this? Textbook, articles, etc?

[@christophersmith3254]

You might find some good papers on the pubmed website. On the contrary with regards to threshold training or building efficiencyTimo mostert did a presentation called capillary runs. Running at a reasonable pace, sub threshold, which will help you increase yoir efficiency. Its on KZbin

[@treykilgoreiscool]

Is this with or without ped's? Does the zone two training and vo2 relationship change with use of epo or cardarine for example.

[@dr.mohamedaitnouh4501]

Now I know less weight yields higher VO2 max since VO2 max = C/Weight I like your idea to lose 2 Kg and do 4 min all out, 6 min mild until exhaustion to increase VO2 max.

[@janetderouin9533]

I am a 76 year old female and my weight is 130lbs. What should my VO2 max be? I exercise 4 times a week on the bike, weight training, walking on the treadmill and stretching. ❤

[@paluks129]

Hello I am no scientist and I might be getting this completely wrong but doesn't it make sense that someone with a high aerobic capacity would be using more oxygen at let's say 300 watts as supposed to someone who is untrained and has to rely on his anaerobic system more at the same intensity?

[@jacko.6625]

Technique counts.

[@wesleyswain1189]

This guy has the same speaking cadence as Malcolm Gladwell

[@ArabDesertEagle]

whats does mean by saying econmy

[@nileshvagal]

wow I had to rewind this video like 5 times just to find the answer to the topic head which was concluded on subject to subject basis .. thanks for wasting my time

[@alemholas]

Do you realise that is the most helpful answer? Adapt to your situation. The is no magic sauce, nor dogma to follow to the scripture.

[@Ice-Fall]

LOL, it was explained, and simply put, VO2Max is possibly inversely proportional to economy of effort. But then again, the person in this discussion was probably not a good cyclist.

[@kathleen9456]

57yo female and my VO2 max increased from 36 to over 40 by supplementing with NAC. This even after gaining 15 lbs over pandemic. Tested it by stopping for a few month and it dropped and then went back on and it jumped back up.

[@CarnivoreDMD]

@@kathleen9456Well, it’s considered a “respiratory” support supplement. I cycle on & off. Currently found potassium + magnesium has help me but I am a more Zone 2 or Z5 cyclist.