Final answer:
A high VO2 max is essential for success in performances lasting 3 to 20 minutes, as these performances primarily rely on aerobic respiration and continuous supply of oxygen.
Step-by-step explanation:
A high VO2 max, which is the maximum amount of oxygen a person can utilize during exercise, is a primary factor for success in performances lasting 3 to 20 minutes. This is because performances in this duration primarily rely on aerobic respiration, which requires a steady supply of oxygen. In contrast, performances lasting less than 10 seconds (option b) or 30 to 180 seconds (option d) rely more on anaerobic respiration, which does not heavily depend on VO2 max. Performances lasting >4 hours (option c) require endurance rather than high VO2 max.