Q: How much improvement in aerobic capacity can a person typically expect to experience, and how long does it take?
A: The amount of improvement in aerobic capacity (i.e., VO
2 max) that can be expected from training is very individualized and is inversely related to each individual's level of fitness.
In other words, the more fit an individual is, the smaller the degree of improvement in VO
2 max associated with training.
For example, an untrained individual may experience approximately a 25 percent increase in VO
2 max after roughly eight to 12 weeks of conditioning. A trained individual, on the other hand, may experience only a five percent improvement over the same period of time.
Source: Bryant, Cedric X. 101 Frequently Asked Questions about "Health & Fitness" and "Nutrition & Weight Control". Sagamore Publishing, 1999.
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