Work above vo2 max

[msf101]

How??

[lexitu]

This is poorly phrased (not your phrasing, the question's phrasing). What they mean is that you're working at an intensity that is higher than the intensity at 100% of VO2 max.

To work above this intensity there needs to be a significant contribution from the anaerobic systems, hence this cannot be sustained for long.

[Predator]

It can only be sustained for about 10 seconds isnt it?
So say you have a V02 max of 60ml/L/Kg you will be working at 66ml/L/Kg?

[ohmyjosh]

It is possible to work over 100% of ones VO2 max when using either of the anaerobic systems in addition to the aerobic system. But if we recall, the PC stores are limited and have not recovered before one could reach steady state because it takes time and continuous effort before one reaches this state. So essentially, to work at more than 100% of ones VO2 max one has to use the lactic acid system in addition the aerobic system. (but this doesn't mean that the energy interplay sees the LA system as the main contributor, it just means that the lactic acid system increases its energy contribution but the activity is still predominantly aerobic.

Examples:

1. The break away of Cadel Evans at the final climb during the UCI Pro Tour in Geelong
2. The sprint to the finish in a 3000m run.
3. When Oz's very own Chris McCormack(MACCA) pushed even harder and ran faster on the last 4 kilometers to break away from Andreas Raelert during the marathon leg of the Ironman World Championship (2.4-miles of swimming, 112-miles of biking, and a 26.2-mile marathon run)

Hope this helps you heaps.