Definition
The maximum amount of oxygen your body can utilize during intense exercise, measured in milliliters per kilogram per minute. Essentially your engine's horsepower rating, but for breathing.
Example Usage
His VO2 max of 85 ml/kg/min explains why he makes mountain climbing look like a casual stroll while I'm gasping for air.
Origin
From 'V' for volume, 'O2' for oxygen, and 'max' for maximum; developed as a measurement in exercise physiology in the 1920s
Fun Fact
Cross-country skiers typically have the highest VO2 max values of any athletes, sometimes exceeding 90 ml/kg/min—nearly double that of average adults.
Source: Exercise physiology and sports medicine terminology
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