The upper limit of aerobic power in humans

Data on the upper limit of aerobic power in humans are scarce. Thus, here we demonstrate extraordinarily high V′O₂max and submaximal exercise performance in a young elite cross country skier (22 years, 170 cm, 63 kg; hemoglobin: 16.8 g/dL) who was evaluated before winning an Olympic gold medal. The test was performed during progressive roller-ski exercise on an outdoor uphill track (7–10% incline). The athlete demonstrated a V′O₂max of 90.6 mL/min/kg (45 s average; 26 METs; 5.7 L/min). But even more impressive than V′O₂max was his ability to exercise at a V′O₂ of 65 mL/min/kg (71.4% V′O₂max) at a lactate level of 1.6 mmol/L. At the self-selected maximal lactate steady state he consumed 78 mLO₂/min/kg (85.7% V′O₂max) with a corresponding lactate level of 4.4 mmol/L. These values rank among the highest ever demonstrated in human beings.