As a subject matter expert in the field of exercise physiology, I can explain the concept of oxygen deficit. The oxygen deficit is a term used to describe the discrepancy between the oxygen consumption of the body during the initial phase of intense exercise and what it would be if the body were to reach a steady state. This deficit occurs because the body's demand for oxygen skyrockets at the onset of intense activity, but the respiratory and cardiovascular systems take some time to increase oxygen delivery to the working muscles. During this period, the body relies on anaerobic metabolism, which does not use oxygen, to meet its energy needs. The oxygen debt that is formed during this time is then repaid as the body returns to a steady state and the oxygen consumption increases to match the demand. In simpler terms, the oxygen deficit is the extra amount of oxygen that the body would need to consume if it were to maintain the initial high rate of oxygen consumption from the start of the exercise without first relying on anaerobic processes. read more >>

oxygen deficit in Medicine. oxygen deficit n. The difference between oxygen uptake of the body during early stages of exercise and during a similar duration in a steady state of exercise, sometimes considered as the formation of oxygen debt.read more >>