In the Olympic arena, it's all about fractions of seconds. VO₂max - maximum oxygen uptake - is often seen as the measure of endurance. But a growing body of research shows that your VO₂max is not determined by training alone. Your microbiome plays a key role, via small molecules: the SCFAs (short-chain fatty acids).

VO₂max: more than lungs and heart

Traditionally, VO₂max measures how well lungs, heart and muscles work together. But that's only the top layer.

• Sports Medicine (2022) shows that microbial metabolites (such as butyrate and propionate) directly contribute to oxygen efficiency in muscle.
• SCFAs improve mitochondrial function, allowing muscles to produce more energy per molecule of oxygen.

Microbiome and lactate

A landmark Harvard study (2019) showed that endurance athletes had more Veillonella bacteria after marathons.

• These bacteria break down lactate (a waste during strenuous exercise).
• They convert lactate into propionate (SCFA), which in turn fuels muscles.
• Result: less acidification, better endurance.

This is THE example of crosstalk: waste for humans becomes energy for the microbiome, and comes back as fuel.

DNA and VO₂max capacity

Not everyone reacts the same way:

• PPARGC1A gene → determines mitochondrial biogenesis, essential for VO₂max.
• ACE gene → affects endurance versus strength.
• FUT2-secretor status → affects microbiome composition and SCFA production.

By combining DNA with metabolites and microbiome, My InnerSelfie can determine who scores high naturally and who needs additional crosstalk support.

Practical biohacks for Olympic athletes

1. SCFA Index
   - My InnerSelfie measures SCFA levels and links it to VO₂max profiles.
2. Lactate conversion
   - Analysis of Veillonella presence predicts who can efficiently recycle lactate.
3. Personalized diet
   - Targeted stimulation of SCFA-producing bacteria (without histamine elevation).
4. DNA & training
   - Profiles with low PPARGC1A activity require different training tactics for VO₂max than high-responders.
5. Multi-omics monitoring
   - Ongoing insight into DNA, microbiome and metabolites enables timely adjustment of adaptations toward Olympic peak.

Why My InnerSelfie is unique in this

• DNA → uncovers predisposition to VO₂max capacity.
• Microbiome → shows who can release additional SCFA power.
• Metabolites → measure lactate, SCFAs and oxidative stress real-time.
• Results → personalized plan to maximize VO₂max and endurance.

Key insights

• VO₂max is not only heart and lungs, but also microbiome and SCFAs.
• Lactate can be converted into new energy through bacteria.
• DNA and microbiome determine who makes faster adaptations.
• My InnerSelfie makes VO₂max personal and controllable.

Scientific references

• Clauss M, Gérard P, Mosca A, Leclerc M. Exercise and gut microbiome in performance. Front Nutr. 2021.
• Wegierska AE, Charitos IA, Potenza MA, et al. Gut microbiota and competitive sports recovery. Sports Medicine. 2022.
• Scheiman J, Luber JM, et al. Meta-omics analysis of elite athletes identifies lactate-utilizing Veillonella. Nat Med. 2019.
• Clark A, Mach N. Gut microbiota-mitochondria crosstalk during exercise. Front Physiol. 2017.