Abstract

Maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) is widely regarded as a key indicator of aerobic capacity in endurance sports; however, its relationship with other physiological factors such as pulmonary function and body composition remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the relationship between VO₂max, pulmonary function, and body composition among long-distance runners.  A quantitative correlational design was employed involving 12 long-distance runners. VO₂max was measured using a graded exercise test on a treadmill, while pulmonary function was assessed using spirometry, including forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁). Body composition variables included height, body weight, body fat percentage, and fat-free mass. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation with a significance level set at p < 0.05.  The results indicated that VO₂max had moderate positive correlations with FVC (r = 0.486) and FEV₁ (r = 0.488), but these relationships were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Similarly, no significant relationships were found between VO₂max and body weight (r = 0.486, p = 0.109) or body fat percentage (r = –0.406, p = 0.191). However, significant positive relationships were observed between VO₂max and height (r = 0.644, p = 0.024) as well as fat-free mass (r = 0.624, p = 0.030).  In conclusion, the findings suggest that VO₂max is not significantly associated with pulmonary function but is influenced by specific components of body composition, particularly fat-free mass. These results highlight the multifactorial nature of aerobic capacity in long-distance runners and emphasize the importance of considering multiple physiological factors in performance evaluation.