Which energy stores are listed as increasing VO2 max?

Which energy stores are listed as increasing VO2 max?

• A. Increased stores of glycogen and triglycerides
• B. Increased stores of amino acids
• C. Increased stores of creatine phosphate
• D. Reduced glycogen stores

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that VO2 max reflects how well the body can take in, transport, and use oxygen at maximal effort. It’s driven by oxidative capacity—the ability of the cardiovascular system to deliver oxygen and the muscles to use it through mitochondria and oxidative enzymes. Increasing stores of amino acids fits with this because amino acids can be used as substrates for energy production during prolonged aerobic work and provide building blocks for enzymes involved in oxidative metabolism. Having more available amino acids supports the processes that raise the rate at which oxygen can be utilized during high-intensity effort, helping push VO2 max higher. In contrast, simply having more glycogen and triglyceride stores mainly extends how long you can fuel activity, not how fast your body can take up and use oxygen at peak effort. Creatine phosphate supports rapid, short bursts of power rather than sustained, maximal oxygen uptake. Reducing glycogen would likely decrease endurance and VO2 max possibilities. So, the option involving increased amino acid stores aligns best with supporting higher VO2 max by contributing to the substrates and enzymatic capacity used in aerobic metabolism.

The key idea is that VO2 max reflects how well the body can take in, transport, and use oxygen at maximal effort. It’s driven by oxidative capacity—the ability of the cardiovascular system to deliver oxygen and the muscles to use it through mitochondria and oxidative enzymes.

Increasing stores of amino acids fits with this because amino acids can be used as substrates for energy production during prolonged aerobic work and provide building blocks for enzymes involved in oxidative metabolism. Having more available amino acids supports the processes that raise the rate at which oxygen can be utilized during high-intensity effort, helping push VO2 max higher.

In contrast, simply having more glycogen and triglyceride stores mainly extends how long you can fuel activity, not how fast your body can take up and use oxygen at peak effort. Creatine phosphate supports rapid, short bursts of power rather than sustained, maximal oxygen uptake. Reducing glycogen would likely decrease endurance and VO2 max possibilities.

So, the option involving increased amino acid stores aligns best with supporting higher VO2 max by contributing to the substrates and enzymatic capacity used in aerobic metabolism.