Final answer:
The statement that VO2max drops about 10% for every 1,000 m ascent above 1,500 m is false. The actual decrease in VO2max is approximately 1% per 100 meters of altitude gain above 1,500 meters.
Step-by-step explanation:
The notion that VO2max drops by 10% for every 1,000 m ascent above 1,500 meters is indeed false. VO2max decreases by about 1% per 100 meters of altitude gain above approximately 1,500 meters. This reduction in VO2max is due to lower oxygen availability in the air at higher altitudes, which affects the body's ability to perform at its maximum capacity. The VO2max is important for mountain climbers because they rely heavily on their aerobic capacity to endure long climbs and the strenuous activity high in the mountains. As climbers ascend, the oxygen concentration decreases, leading to a decrease in hemoglobin saturation, and their body has to adjust to the lower levels of available oxygen, which takes time.