VO2 max has been defined as:

"the highest rate of oxygen consumption attainable during maximal or exhaustive exercise" (3).

As exercise intensity increases so does oxygen consumption. However, a point is reached where exercise intensity can continue to increase without the associated rise in oxygen consumption. To understand this in more practical terms, take a look at the diagram below:

VO2 max graph


The point at which oxygen consumption plateaus defines the VO2 max or an individual's m...