The physical capacity of athletes is an important element of success in sports achievements. It involves a huge number of different capacities, with aerobic capacity being its major component. Aerobic capacity is one of the keys to endurance, optimal performance and training. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) refers to the intensity of aerobic processes and actually represents the capacity of the organism to utilize at a certain moment the maximum amount of oxygen. Maximal oxygen uptake has been regarded as the best indicator of the aerobic capacity of the organism, i.e. the functional capacities of cardiovascular and respiratory systems, as well as the capacity of tissues to utilize oxygen [1].

Athletes often fall short of oxygen capacity or utilization due to minimal oxygen uptake owing to the intense activity of the sport or training and the environment. Increasing the VO2 max increases better oxygen uptake and utilization and thus resulting in better endurance, performance, and training. Dietary nitrate is a well-known vasodilator that increases oxygen uptake and utilization and has many positive physiological benefits.

References:

1. Rankovic G, Mutavdzic V, Toskic D, Preljevic A, Kocic M, Nedin Rankovic G, Damjanovic N. Aerobic capacity as an indicator in different kinds of sports. Bosn J Basic Med Sci. 2010 Feb;10(1):44-8. doi: 10.17305/bjbms.2010.2734. PMID: 20192930; PMCID: PMC5596610.