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Cardiovascular Fitness

By Paige Waehner, About.com

Updated August 18, 2008

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Definition: Cardiovascular fitness refers to the ability of your heart, lungs and organs to consume, transport and utilize oxygen. The maximum volume of oxygen your body can consume and use is your VO2 Max. When you exercise regularly, you can increase your cardiovascular fitness as your heart becomes more efficient at pumping blood and oxygen to the body, and the body becomes more efficient at using that oxygen.
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