Central cardiovascular system limits to aerobic capacity.

In this paper we review the physiological determinants of V ̇ O 2 max and discuss the role this variable plays as a determinant of endurance exercise performance. Because the ability to sustain a given pace during a competitive athletic event requires competitors to 'manage' fatigue and go as fast as possible without fatiguing prematurely, V ̇ O 2 max is one of the variables that sets the physiological upper limit for sustained energy production by the contracting skeletal muscles.