Effects of altering O2 delivery on VO2 of isolated, working muscle

Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) and muscle blood flow (Q max) were measured in an isolated gracilis muscle preparation before and after alteration in perfusion pressure (BP), arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2), and hemoglobin concentration (Hb). Q varied directly with BP and inversely with Hb (viscosity) but was unaffected by changes in arterial SaO2. VO2 max varied directly with oxygen delivery under all conditions. These results indicate that VO2 max is normally limited by oxygen delivery rather than any intrinsic limiting of oxygen consumption of the muscle.