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
Running a 10-minute mile requires a VO2 max of about 35.
—
Jakob Roze, Health, 5 Feb. 2025
To assess VO2 max, participants were asked to perform a 20-meter shuttle run test.
—Julia Ries, Outside Online, 29 Jan. 2025
On the other hand, unfit people, those with lower VO2 max, had a two to three times higher risk of dying from any cause of heart disease, regardless of their weight.
—Alyssa Hui, Health, 16 Jan. 2025
Most notably, his VO2 max, as measured in a treadmill running test, dropped by 10.9 percent.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 23 Dec. 2024
Back in 2016, the American Heart Association issued a scientific statement calling for cardiorespiratory fitness, which is what VO2 max tests measure, to be considered a vital sign that doctors assess during routine checkups.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 4 Dec. 2024
An athlete’s VO2 max is analogous to a car’s engine size.
—Emily Giambalvo, Washington Post, 26 July 2024
For most people, VO2 max declines with age.1 VO2 max is measured in milliliters of oxygen per kilogram of body weight per minute (mL/kg/min).
—Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 7 Oct. 2024
Other goals include training for a 10K, executing a sun salutation on a paddleboard, or improving important health metrics like your VO2 max.
Before attempting unfamiliar workouts, develop a base level of fitness by meeting the minimum guidelines.
—Matt Fuchs, TIME, 30 Sep. 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jakob Roze, Health, 5 Feb. 2025
To assess VO2 max, participants were asked to perform a 20-meter shuttle run test.
—Julia Ries, Outside Online, 29 Jan. 2025
On the other hand, unfit people, those with lower VO2 max, had a two to three times higher risk of dying from any cause of heart disease, regardless of their weight.
—Alyssa Hui, Health, 16 Jan. 2025
Most notably, his VO2 max, as measured in a treadmill running test, dropped by 10.9 percent.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 23 Dec. 2024
Back in 2016, the American Heart Association issued a scientific statement calling for cardiorespiratory fitness, which is what VO2 max tests measure, to be considered a vital sign that doctors assess during routine checkups.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 4 Dec. 2024
An athlete’s VO2 max is analogous to a car’s engine size.
—Emily Giambalvo, Washington Post, 26 July 2024
For most people, VO2 max declines with age.1 VO2 max is measured in milliliters of oxygen per kilogram of body weight per minute (mL/kg/min).
—Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 7 Oct. 2024
Other goals include training for a 10K, executing a sun salutation on a paddleboard, or improving important health metrics like your VO2 max.
Before attempting unfamiliar workouts, develop a base level of fitness by meeting the minimum guidelines.
—Matt Fuchs, TIME, 30 Sep. 2024
Cite this Entry
“VO2 max.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/VO2%20max. Accessed 27 Feb. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share