What does VO2 max measure?

VO2 max is a key physiological measurement that indicates the body's maximum capacity to transport and utilize oxygen during incremental exercise. It reflects how well the respiratory, cardiovascular, and muscular systems work together during intense physical activity.

When someone reaches their VO2 max, they are using the maximum amount of oxygen that their body can extract from the air and deliver to the working muscles, which is crucial for endurance performance and overall aerobic fitness. Higher VO2 max values generally correlate with better athletic performance, particularly in sports that require sustained aerobic effort, such as distance running, cycling, and swimming.

Understanding VO2 max is important for developing training programs aimed at improving cardiovascular fitness, as it helps track changes in aerobic capacity over time in response to training. It is distinct from other factors like maximum heart rate, best running speed, or maximal power output, which do not directly measure oxygen utilization.