Gesundheit & Fitness · Glossar

What is VO2 Max?

Schnelldefinition

The maximum rate of oxygen your body can use during exercise, measured in mL/kg/min. A key fitness metric.

Vollständige Erklärung

VO2 Max is the highest volume of oxygen (in milliliters) your body can use per kilogram of body weight per minute of exercise. It is the gold standard for cardiovascular fitness. Elite athletes score 70+ ml/kg/min; sedentary adults often score 25–35. VO2 Max declines ~1% per year after 30 but can be improved 15–25% with training. It is correlated with all-cause mortality — higher VO2 Max = longer life. Testing requires a treadmill or bike test with a mask. Estimated VO2 Max from heart rate data is available on most fitness watches. Improvements require high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and consistent cardio.

Verwandte Rechner

Calculators that use or explain VO2 Max.

Verwandte Begriffe

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Last reviewed: June 15, 2026 • Category: Gesundheit & Fitness