Having a high VO2 max is such an obvious advantage in speed and endurance events that if it was easily measurable, and reasonably obvious to the naked eye, like for example weight, then we would probably compete in divisions, like in boxing or judo.
And to pre-empt those who will point out that VO2 max can be improved with training, the amount it can be improved is relatively small - most improvements with training are due to changes in running economy, lactate threshold, and lactate turn point.
But no matter how much and how intelligently you train, despite these improvements in economy/threshold/turn point, if you start with a VO2 max of only 35, you will never be world class as a runner or cyclist.
Improving physiological variables is very different from acquiring a complex motor skill - sure, running is a complex motor skill, but even superb running economy, by itself, is not enough.
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