In measuring absolute VO2, what are the units used?

The measurement of absolute VO2 is expressed in liters per minute (L/min). This quantifies the actual volume of oxygen consumed by an individual per unit of time, without adjusting for their body weight. Absolute VO2 is crucial in various physical fitness and health assessments, particularly to evaluate the overall aerobic power and capacity of individuals, regardless of their size.

In contrast, units such as mL/kg/min are used for relative VO2, which accounts for body weight, allowing for comparisons between individuals of different sizes. Similarly, L/kg/min and mL/min serve distinct purposes; L/kg/min relates to relative oxygen consumption in relation to body weight, while mL/min could be inaccurately applied for total oxygen consumption, as it typically lacks the same clarity when determining absolute values. Thus, the use of liters per minute in measuring absolute VO2 is standard practice in exercise physiology.