Table 1.

Summary sheet regarding the advantages and disadvantages of different $\dot{\text{V}}$O_2max measures.

Variable	Advantage	Disadvantages
Absolute value of $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max (L⋅ min−1)	- Recognized and widely used. - Reflects the intrinsic aerobic capacity.30,31	- Cannot reflect the impact of body composition on maximal aerobic exercise capacity. - The absolute $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max in studying children is clearly not supported, because both height and weight have been shown to relate highly with $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max and serves to control for the effects of growth in children.173
Relative value of $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max
- $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max/BW (ml⋅ kg−1⋅ min−1)	- Easy calculated. - The most commonly used index of maximal aerobic power to compare both adult subjects and children with different body mass.162 - There was a negative correlation between BW and $\dot{\text{V}}$O2/BW.65,160 The $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max/BW evaluates the ability of an individual to perform exhaustive work (i.e., aerobic ‘performance’, weight-bearing aerobic capacity).34 - The $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max/LM should also be considered when we examine the performance of the cardiorespiratory fitness.135	- $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max/BW has been shown to unduly penalize heavier subjects.65 Because higher FM, as a part of BW, is due to inherent limitations of $\dot{\text{V}}$O2 being scaled with BW by the power factor ratio of 1.65 - Differences in $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max/BW appear to be clearer either in children or in adults varying greatly in body composition.33 - Due to the different regression slopes before and after weight loss, the $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max/BW is not a good tool for data comparison.33 - $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max/BW can't reflect the changes in both dimensional and functional capacities due to the growth in children.162 - Predicts better performance than the absolute $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max in competitions lasting from 60 to 90 s to several hours.178
- $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max/FFM (ml⋅ kg−1⋅ min−1)	- There was a near zero relationship between $\dot{\text{V}}$O2 and FFM, thus the $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max/FFM imposes no bias across the range of FFM.65 - Stronger bivariate correlation with FFM compared with BW, and the lack of a significant partial correlation with FM which contribute to no individual variation in $\dot{\text{V}}$O2.33 - $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max/FFM is independent of FM.33,107 - $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max/FFM and not $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max/BW is the preferred co-variate for comparing children and adults of different body size and body composition, even after weight loss and overweight women.33 - May be the best indirect estimate of the metabolic capacity of the muscle.28	- FFM depends on body composition measurement tools (such as: bioelectrical impedance, DXA). - $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max/FFM during running or cycling in obese and NW individuals is not consistent.112,113,179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185 - May not be the best technique to scale $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max to relate to cardiometabolic risk factors in children.28
- $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max/LM and - $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max/LMM (ml⋅ kg−1⋅ min−1)	- Active muscle mass involved during exercise is highly associated with $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max.25 Therefore, $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max/LMM may be better for cycling, and $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max/LM for rowing.25 - The $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max/LM and $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max/LMM, were both associated with age.25 - Muscular activity is the major source of mechanical loading of the skeleton, there is a significant relationship between bone density and muscle mass or strength.125 Therefore, $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max/LM present more relationship with bone density and back strength.125 - $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max/SMM is not influenced by adipose tissue.107 - The $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max/SMM may be considered as an index of “aerobic muscle quality”,15,154 together with $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max/LBM or can be useful as a tool to more precisely distinguish between groups or individuals differing in muscle adaptation to maximum oxygen uptake, and provide equivalent information about maximum aerobic capacity in athletes.15	- The accuracy of LM and LMM and SMM depends on body composition measurement tools (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging, DXA), and quality control. - Not a commonly used indicator.
- $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max/BH (ml⋅ cm−1⋅ min−1)	- Easy calculated. - Used for growth study in children. - Does not incorporate potential differences in muscle mass with change in height.28	- Rarely used and less reported. - Does not reflect the impact of body composition and gender differences (boys and girls). - May not be the best technique to scale $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max to relate to cardiometabolic risk factors in children.28
- $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max/BSA (L⋅ m2-1⋅ min−1)	- Easy calculated. - Used in children and/or growth study.	- Rarely used and less reported. - May not be the best technique to scale $\dot{\text{V}}$O2max to relate to cardiometabolic risk factors in children.28 - Does not take into consideration the disproportionate increases in muscle mass with increasing body size during sexual maturation.163

Abbreviations: $\dot{\text{V}}$O₂: oxygen consumption; BW: body weight; FFM: fat-free mass; NW: normal weight; LM: lean mass; LMM: leg muscle mass; DXA: dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; BH: body height; BSA: body surface area.