Final answer:
VO2 max is the measure of the maximum amount of oxygen the body can utilize during intense exercise, and it is an indicator of cardiovascular fitness and aerobic endurance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The measure of the maximum amount of oxygen that you can take into your body and transport to your muscles during intense exercise is known as VO2 max. It is a valuable indicator of an individual's cardiovascular fitness and aerobic endurance. The metabolic rate, including both basal metabolic rate (BMR) and activity levels, can be assessed by the oxygen consumption, as seen in tools like a pulse oxymeter. During exercise, heart rate (HR) and stroke volume (SV) increase, leading to higher cardiac output (CO) necessary to supply the oxygen and nutrients to the muscles that are working harder, thus demonstrating a direct relationship with VO2 max. Athletes often have a higher VO2 max than non-athletes due to their greater BMR and training adaptations that enhance oxygen delivery and utilization.