Fitness
Heart rate ratio method
Uses the ratio of maximum to resting heart rate as a proxy for stroke volume and aerobic capacity. Needs no exercise test.
The Formula
VO2max = 15 x (HRmax / HRrest)
Uses the ratio of maximum to resting heart rate as a proxy for stroke volume and aerobic capacity. Needs no exercise test.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| VO2max | Maximum oxygen uptake | mL/kg/min | Millilitres of oxygen per kilogram per minute. |
| HRmax | Maximum heart rate | bpm | Beats per minute at all-out effort. |
| HRrest | Resting heart rate | bpm | Beats per minute on waking, before rising. |
What Each Symbol Means
VO2maxmL/kg/min
Maximum oxygen uptake
Millilitres of oxygen per kilogram per minute.
HRmaxbpm
Maximum heart rate
Beats per minute at all-out effort.
HRrestbpm
Resting heart rate
Beats per minute on waking, before rising.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate vo2 max page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate VO2 Max, filed under Health. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.