Norm values for VO2max

V02Max is often estimated with the Balke Test.
Talk about making things too complicted! Since the real value is almost never available, why not just publish values for distance in a 15 minute test -- with separate tests for runners, swimmers, etc.?

In other words, for most people, its not VO2Max that is important, it is the useful work they can perform -- i.e. distance they can cover.

More interesting, would be a measurement of how fast they recover. A good result with a slow recovery may indicate poor health and strong motivation while a more modest result with a rapid recovery may indicate excellent health and poor motivation.
Norm values for VO2max: "This table categorizes VO2max scores for adult men and women of various ages. These are relative VO2max scores, in the units of mls of oxygen per kilogram of body weight per minute."

For my money, Cooper's tests make more sense for most people, although a serious understanding of VO2Max and lactate threshold certainly benefit a serious athlete.