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
Zone 2 is widely framed as the aerobic base that makes a higher VO2 max possible.
—
Allison Palmer
june 2, Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026
At that volume, higher-intensity training turns out to be more time-efficient for building VO2 max and mitochondrial capacity.
—Allison Palmer
june 2, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026
In the new study, about 17,000 participants from the UK Biobank Cohort Study wore devices to track their exercise habits for one week and performed cycling tests to estimate their VO2 max.
—Allison Forsyth, Health, 22 May 2026
That's a time-efficient way of improving your VO2 max, particularly for beginners.
—Teresa Maalouf, Verywell Health, 17 Apr. 2026
So any gain in VO2 max is a win.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 20 Mar. 2026
But the training signal, as indicated by parameters like lactate levels and time spent above 90 percent of VO2 max, is no stronger.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 15 Mar. 2026
The wellness packages include daily classes and tracking of such key fitness markers as VO2 max, gait and vertical jump as well as one-on-one sessions focusing on mindset, nutrition and fitness.
—Beth Landman, HollywoodReporter, 28 Feb. 2026
Many Olympians—Nordic skiers, for instance—pay a lot of attention to a measure called their VO2 max—the highest volume of oxygen your body can consume and use during a minute of intense exercise.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 11 Feb. 2026
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Allison Palmer
june 2, Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026
At that volume, higher-intensity training turns out to be more time-efficient for building VO2 max and mitochondrial capacity.
—Allison Palmer
june 2, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026
In the new study, about 17,000 participants from the UK Biobank Cohort Study wore devices to track their exercise habits for one week and performed cycling tests to estimate their VO2 max.
—Allison Forsyth, Health, 22 May 2026
That's a time-efficient way of improving your VO2 max, particularly for beginners.
—Teresa Maalouf, Verywell Health, 17 Apr. 2026
So any gain in VO2 max is a win.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 20 Mar. 2026
But the training signal, as indicated by parameters like lactate levels and time spent above 90 percent of VO2 max, is no stronger.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 15 Mar. 2026
The wellness packages include daily classes and tracking of such key fitness markers as VO2 max, gait and vertical jump as well as one-on-one sessions focusing on mindset, nutrition and fitness.
—Beth Landman, HollywoodReporter, 28 Feb. 2026
Many Olympians—Nordic skiers, for instance—pay a lot of attention to a measure called their VO2 max—the highest volume of oxygen your body can consume and use during a minute of intense exercise.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“VO2 max.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/VO2%20max. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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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