Why is VO2 max typically higher in men than in women?

VO2 max, which reflects the maximum volume of oxygen an individual can utilize during intense exercise, tends to be higher in men than in women primarily due to physiological differences, particularly in cardiovascular and muscular systems.

The key factor for the higher VO2 max in men is attributed to a higher stroke volume. Stroke volume represents the amount of blood the heart pumps with each beat. Men generally have larger hearts and greater myocardial mass, which allows for a higher stroke volume compared to women. This increased stroke volume can lead to higher cardiac output during intense exercise, facilitating a greater delivery of oxygen to the working muscles.

While factors such as lean muscle mass, blood volume, and hemoglobin concentration also play a role in physiological differences between genders, the primary contributor to the disparity in VO2 max is the stroke volume. Men typically have a greater capacity to pump blood efficiently during exercise, resulting in enhanced aerobic performance. This enables them to achieve higher levels of oxygen consumption when compared to women under similar conditions.