VO2 max
noun
: the maximum amount of oxygen the body can utilize during a specified period of usually intense exercise
Examples of VO2 max in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
VO2 max is an indicator of how efficiently the body utilizes oxygen with intense exercise, said London, who is based in Savannah, Georgia.
—
Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025
VO2 max is measured as milliliters of oxygen per kilogram of body weight per minute of exercise.
—Julia Andersen, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2025
For example, a 2023 Swedish study of 177,000 men found that those with the highest fitness (as assessed with an exercise test to estimate VO2 max) were least likely to develop colon cancer over the subsequent decade.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 25 Aug. 2025
The tests for strength currently include VO2 max, lower-body power, and muscle mass; those for cognition include appraisals of executive function, processing speed, and memory.
—Tad Friend, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
While fitness may be determined in various ways, the best way is by checking what is known as peak oxygen uptake, or VO2 max, through a specialized evaluation called a cardiopulmonary exercise test.
—William Cornwell, The Conversation, 1 Aug. 2025
The pair have worked extensively on his VO2 max, as well as zone two work, to develop his fatigue resistance.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 26 July 2025
The style comes with GPS, heart-rate monitoring and VO2 max estimates.
—Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 16 July 2025
To increase your VO2 max, try out these types of exercise, experts say:
HIIT.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 13 July 2025
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Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025
VO2 max is measured as milliliters of oxygen per kilogram of body weight per minute of exercise.
—Julia Andersen, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2025
For example, a 2023 Swedish study of 177,000 men found that those with the highest fitness (as assessed with an exercise test to estimate VO2 max) were least likely to develop colon cancer over the subsequent decade.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 25 Aug. 2025
The tests for strength currently include VO2 max, lower-body power, and muscle mass; those for cognition include appraisals of executive function, processing speed, and memory.
—Tad Friend, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
While fitness may be determined in various ways, the best way is by checking what is known as peak oxygen uptake, or VO2 max, through a specialized evaluation called a cardiopulmonary exercise test.
—William Cornwell, The Conversation, 1 Aug. 2025
The pair have worked extensively on his VO2 max, as well as zone two work, to develop his fatigue resistance.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 26 July 2025
The style comes with GPS, heart-rate monitoring and VO2 max estimates.
—Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 16 July 2025
To increase your VO2 max, try out these types of exercise, experts say:
HIIT.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 13 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“VO2 max.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/VO2%20max. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
VO2 max
noun
: the maximum amount of oxygen the body can use during a specified period of usually intense exercise that depends on body weight and the strength of the lungs
called also maximal oxygen consumption, maximal oxygen uptake, max VO2
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