VO₂max
The maximum rate at which your body can use oxygen — a key marker of aerobic fitness.
VO₂max is the maximum volume of oxygen your body can take in and use per minute during intense exercise, usually expressed relative to body weight (mL/kg/min). It reflects the capacity of your heart, lungs and muscles to deliver and use oxygen.
It matters because it is one of the strongest single markers of cardiorespiratory fitness, and higher values are robustly associated with lower mortality and better healthspan.
In practice, VO₂max is measured precisely in a lab, estimated by fitness watches, or improved through a mix of higher-intensity intervals and steady aerobic work.
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Written and reviewed by Mathew Beale — MSc Biotechnology, University of Reading.
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