Fitness Testing > Tests > Aerobic Endurance > VO2 max > Scores

VO2max Test Results

The VO2max test is the criterion measure of aerobic power in athletes. Actual and accurate published scores are difficult to find. The following are just some that are known or have been found through searching online. When comparing to these results, you must consider that the protocols used are probably different, and the accuracy of the results unknown. There is also a list of VO2max World Bests on the sporting records section.

General

The article on VO2max on Wikipedia states that the average young untrained male will have a VO2 max of about 3.5 liters/minute or 45 ml/min/kg.

Ice Hockey (NHL)

The best VO2max score at the 2011 NHL scouting combine was 68.7 ml/min/kg by defenseman Sven Baertschi of the Portland Winterhawks (WHL) (see 2011 NHL combine results)
The average cycle VO2 max recorded at the NHL entry draft scouting combine over the last few years has been 56.8 (2009), 56.3 (2010) and 56.4 ml/min/kg (2011). (see NHL combine results summary)
Flames coach Mike Keenan taking about why Chris Chelios is still playing at age 46. He says that there are three athletes that have broken the 70-plus barrier in VO2max fitness testing. One was Chelly, another one was Eddie Belfour (both from Chicago), and this year Jarome Iginla did it. (retrieved Oct 2007, mlive.com)

Aussie Rules Football (AFL)

Brett Deledio, AFL footballer from Richmond, scored 60 ml/kg/min on his VO2max test (Herald Sun Newspaper, 16 April 2009).

Athletics

Sean Wroe, Australian Olympic 400m sprinter, scored 58 ml/kg/min on his VO2max test (Herald Sun Newspaper, 16 April 2009).

Cross Country Skiing

The Norwegians have long been tops in this sport, and their athletes have recorded some of the highest ever VO2max scores. An article on www.fasterskier.com from 2005 listed a few of these: Espen Harald Bjerke tested at 96 ml/kg/min. Bjorn Daehlie had also achieved that score in the past. In recent testing (2005) the scores achieved were Hofstad – 92, Bjerke – 91, Gaustad – 87, Aukland – 88 and Svartedal – 83. (article on www.fasterskier.com, 10 Oct 2005)

Jockey / Horse Racing

Michael Rodd, Melbourne Cup winning jockey, scored 58 ml/kg/min on his VO2max test (Herald Sun Newspaper, 16 April 2009).

Triathlon

Erin Densham, Olympic Triathlete, scored 67 ml/kg/min on her VO2max test (Herald Sun Newspaper, 16 April 2009).

Rowing

Drew Ginn, Australian Olympic rower, scored 67 ml/kg/min on his VO2max test (Herald Sun Newspaper, 16 April 2009).
The best score from Olaf Tufte (World and Olympic Champion in rowing) was 77 ml/kg/min (as listed in an article on www.fasterskier.com, 10 Oct 2005)

Soccer

The best score from Øyvind Leonhardsen (Norwegian professional soccer player) was 80.9 ml/kg/min (as listed in an article on www.fasterskier.com, 10 Oct 2005).

Cycling

Peta Mullens, Australian cyclist, scored 59 ml/kg/min on her VO2max test (Herald Sun Newspaper, 16 April 2009).
The best score from Norwegian professional road bicycle racer Thor Hushovd was 86 ml/kg/min (as listed in an article on www.fasterskier.com, 10 Oct 2005).

Other Sports

The best score from biathlete Ole Einar Bjœrndalen was 86 ml/kg/min (as listed in an article on www.fasterskier.com, 10 Oct 2005).

procedure for VO2max Testing
Other fitness test results
World Records for VO2max
More Scores? I scan the internet for the latest athlete results. If you know of something I have missed, I would love to hear from you.