: 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
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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 Training VO2 max requires high-intensity interval training (HIIT), pushing the cardiovascular system to its limits. Jesse Pines, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025 There are tests for VO2 max and lactate threshold, a DEXA scan for body composition, and sport-specific strength, power, mobility, and stability tasks. Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan, Outside Online, 9 May 2025 To do this, Whoop looks at nine biomarkers, including sleep duration, sleep consistency, steps per day, average heart rate, time in heart rate zones, and your VO2 max. Anthony Karcz, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

volume of O2 maximum

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of VO2 max was in 1970

Browse Nearby Words

VO
VOA

Cite this Entry

“VO2 max.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/VO2%20max. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

Medical Definition

: 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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