Maximal oxygen uptake (V•
O2
max) may be defined as the highest rate at which oxygen can be extracted, transported and consumed in the process of aerobic ATP. synthesis. Typically, V•
O2
max is expressed in millilitres of oxygen per kilogram of
body weight per unit of time (i.e. mL.kg−1
.min−1
). Numerous studies suggest that
V
•
O2
max is highly related to endurance performance. It should be noted, however,
that these relationships are based largely upon the study of heterogeneous samples,
and when the relationship between V•
O2
max and marathon performance is examined
within a homogeneous group of highly trained runners (with similar performance
times) there appears to be little relationship between V•
O2max and
performance. Despite the observed lack of relationship between V•
O2
max and performance,
however, it is clear that a well developed aerobic capacity (V•
O2
max) is a
prerequisite for endurance performance. It would appear, however, that physiological
parameters other than V•
O2
max may be more important in determining endurance
performance, especially within truly elite individuals.