VO2 max

[ vee-oh-too maks ]

noun

, Medicine/Medical.

1. the maximum volume (V) of oxygen (O 2 ) that a particular person's body can absorb and use during intense exercise, measured in milliliters of oxygen per kilogram of body weight per minute and often used to assess cardiorespiratory fitness.

Word History and Origins

Origin of VO2 max¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Attendants fitted me with a snug Vo2 max mask, which was synced to a nearby laptop.

From Los Angeles Times

Altitude training can improve an athlete’s maximal oxygen consumption, or VO2 max, and lessen the effects of fatigue.

From Los Angeles Times

Several studies reported that aerobic capacity, measured by a VO2 max test, remained unchanged after intermittent fasting in elite cyclists and runners, as well as in well-trained long-distance and middle-distance runners.

From Salon

Take, for instance, her VO2 max — a common fitness metric that measures how much oxygen one can absorb while exercising.

From Seattle Times

“She has a VO2 max that’s not too far off from a Nordic skier, and they’re considered peak of the peak,” said Robyn Fog-Wiltse, a physiologist and physical trainer.

From Seattle Times