oxygen debt

noun

, Physiology.

1. the body's oxygen deficiency resulting from strenuous physical activity.

Word History and Origins

Origin of oxygen debt¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

Hill, a Nobel Prize-winning physiologist coined the term “oxygen debt” to describe what happens when individuals exercise with an inadequate supply of oxygen.

From Los Angeles Times

Initially it was thought that this energy, which we call “excess postexercise oxygen consumption,” was a replacement for oxygen debt.

From Scientific American

They throw themselves over the boards, skate themselves into oxygen debt, then sit down and watch their sweat freeze.

From Los Angeles Times

Based on years of power data analysis, Hayman knew that 500 watts was well above the threshold where his body would go into oxygen debt and his performance would fall off.

From New York Times

The muscular system’s topics now include the role of calcium within myocytes, red and white muscle types and oxygen debt.

From US News