Oxygen consumption refers to the amount of oxygen used by the body during various activities, such as exercise or rest. It is a crucial indicator of how efficiently the body converts oxygen into energy. Higher oxygen consumption typically occurs during intense physical activities, where muscles require more oxygen to produce energy. Measuring oxygen consumption can help assess cardiovascular fitness and overall health. This measurement is often expressed in milliliters of oxygen used per minute per kilogram of body weight. Athletes, for example, may monitor their VO2 max, which represents the maximum rate of oxygen consumption during intense exercise.