what is cardiovascular endurance?

Cardiovascular endurance, also called cardiorespiratory endurance or aerobic fitness, is the body’s ability to sustain large-muscle, whole-body activity at moderate to high intensities for extended periods. It reflects how efficiently the heart, lungs, blood vessels, and muscles work together to supply oxygen and remove waste during sustained exercise. In practical terms, people with higher cardiovascular endurance can perform activities like running, cycling, swimming, or brisk walking for longer durations before fatigue sets in, and they recover more quickly afterward. VO2 max—the maximum rate at which the body can consume oxygen during intense exercise—is a common way to quantify this endurance, but many simple field tests (e.g., time for a fixed distance, or continuous pacing at a comfortable effort) are also used to estimate it.