VO2max (V-O-2-max) is the scientific term exercise physiologists use to describe cardiovascular fitness. VO2max is the maximum amount of oxygen a person can consume in oneminute. To measure VO2max (maximum oxygen uptake) directly, sophisticated and expensive laboratory equipment is needed, and the person being tested must exercise until exhaustion.
However, there are several tests of cardiovascular fitness that do not require sophisticated and expensive equipment. In this lesson in your textbook, you learned about the PACER test that allows indirect measurements of VO2max. There are other self-assessments that also estimate VO2max. Examples are the step test and running tests such as the mile run and the 12-minute run. You will learn more about these self-assessments when you study Fitness for Life in high school.
