A Study of the Maximum Oxygen Consumption (VO

2max

) of the

Students Majoring Physical Education and Health Education at

Thaksin University

Teeraphan Sangkaew

, Kasem Pantusa

, Chawapong Metheethammawat

Department of Physical and Health Education, Faculty of Education, Thaksin University, Songkhla, Thailand.

Keywords: Maximal Oxygen Consumption (VO

max)

Abstract: The purpose of this research was to study and compare the maximum oxygen consumption (VO

max) of the

students majoring Physical Education and Health Education at Thaksin University. The subjects of the

research were 123 students. The instrument used in this research was 2.4 km. Running Test. The data were

analyzed by Mean ( μ) , Standard deviation (σ) and comparison of the maximum oxygen consumption. The

results showed that the VO

max of male students ( μ = 42.20 ml/kg/min, σ = 5.50) was better than that of

female students ( μ = 35.04 ml/kg/min, σ =  3.54). When comparing the data of each class, it is found that

the mean of the maximum oxygen consumption of the male and female students was significantly different

(P>.05). Therefore, the significance of this research can be applied and developed in a specific training

program in order to improve the maximum oxygen consumption of the students majoring Physical Education

and Health Education at Thaksin University in the future.

1 INTRODUCTION

Physical fitness refers to the ability to express

physical aspects for movement and practice skills in

playing sports for maximum efficiency and

consistency throughout the competition (Thavorn,

2017). Physical fitness means the state of the body

that is in good condition to help people to work. It can

be effectively divided into 2 types, namely health-

related physical fitness that is related to health, and

skill-related physical fitness, that is related to skills

(Suphit et al., 2017). Wilmore et al. (1994) said that

in an exercise, muscles consume energy derived from

the substance Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP); an

energy source for muscles. People have small amount

of this energy source. It is only enough to be used

about 3 to 15 seconds. Therefore, if the muscles are

needed to run continuously, it is needed to produce

this ATP by the energy and other reactions.

(McArdle, and Katch, 2011)

1.1 Energy System

ATP-PC System, in this ATP-PC system, energy

comes from ATP, which is caused by the breakdown

of PC (Phosphocreatine). The output is in the form of

inorganic Phosphate (Pi) and creatine (Cr) providing

instant energy which will be used to synthesize ATP.

This process can be seen from the following equation:

PC Pi + Cr + energy energy + ADP +

Pi ATP8 (1)

Lactic acid system, this system is also known as

“Anaerobic glycolysis”. In this case, the process

includes breaking down glucose without oxygen,

which is an incomplete glucose metabolism by one

molecule of glucose (six carbon atoms) which will be

transformed into 2 pyruvic molecules (three carbon

atoms)

C6H12O6 + 2ADP + 2Pi2 C3H4O3 + 2ATP + energy

(glucose) (pyruvic)

Aerobic system, This system is also known as

“Aerobic glycolysis”. The process consists of

breaking down glucose by using oxygen. The system

is divided into 4 consecutive steps as follows: 1) The

glucose process of breaking down using oxygen; 3)

Synthesizing process of acetylene coenzyme A; 4)

Krebs cycle; 5) Electron transport system.

684

Sangkaew, T., Pantusa, K. and Metheethammawat, C.

A Study of the Maximum Oxygen Consumption (Vo2max) of the Students Majoring Physical Education and Health Education at Thaksin University.

DOI: 10.5220/0009801006840688

In Proceedings of the 3rd Yogyakarta International Seminar on Health, Physical Education, and Sport Science in conjunction with the 2nd Conference on Interdisciplinary Approach in Sports

(YISHPESS and CoIS 2019), pages 684-688

ISBN: 978-989-758-457-2

1.2 Maximum Oxygen Consumption

The maximum oxygen consumption (VO

max) is the

body's oxygen consumption, which is considered the

standard of exercise measurement. If the heart rate is

an indicator of the physical fitness, then the use of

oxygen is the amount of gas that the body uses to

work. In general, Physical fitness depends on the

body's ability to use oxygen. Large amounts of

oxygen are transmitted to the working muscles. Most

of researches show that the maximum oxygen

consumption is an important determinant of

respiratory and circulatory endurance components

which are important and essential.

Health and athletic skills, in which an oxygen-

based energy system will be used, play an important

role as backup energy to pull the muscles into power.

The force of contraction has continued to be active in

sports or movement for the maximum efficiency

(Thavorn: 2017). On average, when resting in a

sitting position, the rate of oxygen consumption is

approximately 200-300 ml./min. or 3.5 ml./kg./min.

(1 MET) (McArdle et al., 2000).

2max

test can be conducted both using direct

method and indirect method. The direct method of

measurement includes the gas analyzing method from

a tool which consists of a Treadmill, Bicycle-

ergometer, Gasometer, Gas-analyzer, Metronome

and Stopwatch. The test taker is required to exercise

and breathe in-out into the analyzer. Then, his ratio of

oxygen and carbon dioxide is analyzed, and finally

the oxygen value in his body in one minute is

calculated.

In indirect method of measurement, the test taker

is required to work at the highest level for

approximately 5-10 minutes, to estimate the

maximum value of the body´s oxygen consumption

ability. Books et al. (1996) said that method for

measuring the VO

2max

was conducted using a

Treadmill, Bicycle-ergometer, Bench step and field

test. For example, the Balke Protocol is tested using a

speed of 3.3 miles per hour (mph) and the slope of the

treadmill increases by 1% every minute. The test ends

when HR = 180 repetition per minute (rpm). A stand-

Ryaning Test is a test by bicycle (a fixed-weight bike)

to pedal the bike for about 6 minutes using the

average pulse in the 5 and 6 minutes, which is a steady

stage. Added to this, 2.4 km. Running Test is also

conducted by recording time at the end. (Sports

Authority of Thailand, 2000)

From the underlying background above, this

research was conducted to study the maximum

oxygen consumption the students majoring Physical

Education and Health Education at Thaksin

University while exercising and to compare the

maximum oxygen consumption ability of each class.

2 RESEARCH METHOD

2.1 Research Type

The study is an experiment aimed at studying the

maximum oxygen consumption of the students

majoring Physical Education and Health Education at

Thaksin University and comparing the maximum

oxygen consumption ability of each class by gender.

2.2 Research Target/Subject

The population used in this research was 1

- 4

level

students majoring Physical Education and Health

Education, Faculty of Education, Thaksin University.

123 chosen participants consisted of 30 of the first

year students, 26 of the second year students, 33 of

the third year students and 34 of the fourth year

students. That classification is according to

information obtained from the students’ registration

and education services, as of September 7, 2017.

2.3 Data, Instrument, Data Collection

Technique

The instrument used in this research was 2.4 km.

Running Test. The use of the instrument was also

supported by a standard field with a distance of 400

meters, a stopwatch, cones and maximum oxygen test

results recording sheets. The data were collected by:

1. studying the details of the use of research

instrument and equipment

2. making an appointment with the sample group

to inform the objectives and request

cooperation in conducting research

3. preparing tools, equipment, and facilities to

collect information, appointment, date, and

time for collecting data

4. providing assistants in collecting data as well

as explaining and demonstrating various

methods for collecting data for the sample

group and the assistant to understand well

about the research

5. Conducting the test for the sample group to

measure the maximum oxygen consumption

ability by 2.4 km. Running Test method.

6. Recording the time that each sample spent and

taking the value from the test to measure the

maximum oxygen consumption to analyze the

data compared with statistical methods.

A Study of the Maximum Oxygen Consumption (Vo2max) of the Students Majoring Physical Education and Health Education at Thaksin

University

685

Data analysis: The research data were analyzed using

SPSS computer program for Windows as shown in

the following steps:

1. Analyzing the data by finding the mean

(μ) and

Standard deviation

(σ) for basic information of

the students majoring Physical Education and

Health Education at Thaksin University.

2. Analyzing the mean

(μ) and Standard

deviation

(σ) of maximum oxygen

consumption ability of the students majoring

Physical Education and Health Education at

Thaksin University by gender and grade level

in the academic year.

3. Comparing the average oxygen consumption

ability of the students majoring Physical

Education and Health Education at Thaksin

University between the males and females.

4. Comparing the average maximum oxygen

consumption ability of the students majoring

Physical Education and Health Education at

Thaksin University between each level or

year.

3 RESEARCH RESULT AND

DISCUSSION

Table 1 shows that the male students majoring

Physical Education and Health Education at Thaksin

University consisted of 94 people, with an average

body weight of 69.20 kilograms (Standard deviation

of 12.40), and the average height of 174.20

centimeters (Standard deviation of 6.13).

Meanwhile, the female students majoring

Physical Education and Health Education at Thaksin

University consisted of 29 people, with an average

body weight of 55.20 kilograms (Standard deviation

of 8.70), and the average height of 161.48 centimeters

(Standard deviation of 6.35).

Table 1: The comparison of average body weight and height

of the students majoring Physical Education and Health

Education at Thaksin University by gender

Gender

Body weight

(kg.)

Height

(cm.)

μ σ μ σ

Male

97 69.20 12.40 174.20 6.13

Female

26 55.02 8.70 161.48 6.35

Table 2 shows the body weight and height data of

students majoring Physical Education and Health

Education at Thaksin University based on their level.

Put in order, the 1

, 2

, 3

and 4

th year

students have

an average body weight of 65.02, 63.43, 67.87 and

66.88kg, while the height of 171.17, 168.54, 172.97

and 171.76 cm.

Table 2: The comparison of average body weight and height

of the students majoring Physical Education and Health

Education at Thaksin University by level/year

Grade

level

Body weight

(kg.)

Height

(cm.)

μ Σ μ σ

30 65.02 7.81 171.17 6.92

26 63.43 14.04 168.54 9.01

33 67.87 16.24 172.97 7.44

34 66.88 13.07 171.76 8.97

Table 3 below shows the comparison of the average

oxygen consumption ability of the students majoring

Physical Education and Health Education at Thaksin

University by gender between males and females.

Male students have an average of 42.20 ml./kg./min,

while the female ones

have an average of 35.04

ml./kg./min.

Table 3: The comparison of the average oxygen

consumption ability of the students majoring Physical

Education and Health Education at Thaksin University by

gender between males and females

Gender

Male (n = 97) Female(n = 26)

μ Σ Μ σ

max 42.20 5.50 35.04 3.54

Table 4 below shows the comparison of the average

oxygen consumption ability of the students majoring

Physical Education and Health Education at Thaksin

University by gender between males and females and

by their levels of study. The first to the fourth year

male students have an average of 42.25, 42.89, 42.33

and 41.59ml./kg./min. Meanwhile, the first to the

fourth year female students have an average of 36.25,

36.00, 33.29 and 35.43ml./kg./min.

YISHPESS and CoIS 2019 - The 3rd Yogyakarta International Seminar on Health, Physical Education, and Sport Science (YISHPESS

2019) in conjunction with The 2nd Conference on Interdisciplinary Approach in Sports (CoIS 2019)

686

Table 4: the comparison of the average oxygen

consumption ability of the students majoring Physical

Education and Health Education at Thaksin University by

gender between males and females and by their levels of

study

Grade level

max

Male

μ σ

24 42.25 5.24

18 42.89 5.17

28 42.33 6.18

27 41.59 5.55

Total 97

- -

Grade level

max

Female

μ σ

6 36.25 5.56

8 36.00 2.24

5 33.29 3.30

7 35.43 3.82

Total 26

- -

3.1 Research Result

1) The maximum oxygen consumption of the students

majoring Physical Education and Health Education at

Thaksin University has an average 42.89

ml./kg./min;

2) The comparison of the maximum oxygen

consumption shows that males had the highest

oxygen consumption ability than that of females.

Here, the VO

2max

average of male students was

42.20

ml./kg./min, and the average of the females was

35.04

ml./kg./min.

3.2 Discussion

Based on the study of the maximum oxygen

consumption conducted toward the students majoring

Physical Education and Health Education at Thaksin

University, the findings showed that the average

oxygen consumption of male students was at an

average of 42.20

ml./kg./min and the average of the

female students was 35.04

ml./kg./min. It can be said

that male students have higher oxygen consumption

ability than that of female students because most male

students are athletes representing Thaksin University,

and they have got trainings and joined many

competitions all the time, so that they have very good

physical fitness. These findings are consistent with

Nareerat’s ( 2012) research conducted toward the

students of the Institute of Physical Education,

Chonburi. By the method of estimating the maximum

oxygen consumption at the same age, the males have

an average value of 48.89

ml./kg./min. On the other hand,

the females have an average of 51.05 ml./kg./min.

This is also in line with Thawatchai (1998) w h o

stated that prolonged physical activity, people with

physical fitness, heart function and good breathing

can transport oxygen and nutrients that are useful to

the body tissues in the amount that the body needs

effectively and sufficiently. Thus, the activities to

promote the performance of the heart must be related

to aerobic exercise. Chusak (1993) said the maximum

oxygen consumption will vary according to the

gender, size and shape. For females, the highest value

is at the age of 20-25 years. On the contrary, males

have the highest value at the age of 25-30 years, then

gradually decreases. Heyward ( 1997) said that the

oxygen consumption of males aged 18-25 years is the

lowest in the range of 20-29

ml./kg./min, and the highest

in the range of 63-80

ml./kg./min.

The results of research also indicated that the

differences of the maximum oxygen consumption in

each level of study is not too significant, because the

Physical Education field has a structured course

curriculum for practical skills sports in accordance

with every level of the year. The students majoring

Physical Education and Health Education at Thaksin

University must regularly maintain their physical

fitness and also have a physical fitness test program

to evaluate their strength, strengthen their personality.

It is expected that will graduate as professional

educators. In addition, the department also has a

fitness room that is equipped with a variety of sport

fields for students. There are activities and projects

that need to be trained, thus making all students

interested and must develop them always.

4 CONCLUSIONS

The purpose of this research was to study and

compare the maximum oxygen consumption (VO

max) of the students majoring Physical Education and

Health Education at Thaksin University. The findings

of this research should be presented to the Thaksin

University in order to compare the results obtained by

conducting physical fitness test as a guideline for the

instructor to use to design the program. Practice in

developing sports is potential for the development of

the university in the future.

REFERENCES

Bootboonpun Nareerat. 2012. Level of maximum oxygen

consumption of students from Institule of Physical

Education Chonburi campus. Master thesis, Graduate

School, Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand.

Kamutsi Thavorn. 2017 Physical fitness conditioning,

Bangkok Media Press LTD.

A Study of the Maximum Oxygen Consumption (Vo2max) of the Students Majoring Physical Education and Health Education at Thaksin

University

687

Kanjanawattikun Thawatchai. 1998. The effect of exercise

training in the type of resistance to structural and

functional changes of the heart.Master thesis, Graduate

School, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand.

McArdle D. William, Katch I. Frank, and Katch L. Victor.

2000. Essentials of Exercisephysiology. 2nd ed.

Philadelphia.

Samahito Suphit. 2013. Test and norms for the elderly 60-

89 years, Department of Physical Education, Ministry

of Tourism and Sports.

Sports Science Department. 2000. Physical fitness norms

for Thai people, Sports Authority of Thailand.

Vejchapad Chusak and Palawiwat Kanya. 1993. Physiology

of exercise. 4

edition.

Wilmore, J. H., &Costill, D. L. 1994. Physiology of Sport

and Exercise. USA: Human Kinetics.

YISHPESS and CoIS 2019 - The 3rd Yogyakarta International Seminar on Health, Physical Education, and Sport Science (YISHPESS

2019) in conjunction with The 2nd Conference on Interdisciplinary Approach in Sports (CoIS 2019)

688