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May 16

Heres How Your VO2 Max and Your Lifespan May Be Related – runnersworld.com

Your longevity depends on numerous factors, including gender, blood pressure, cholesterol, age, and lifestyle choices. A recent study in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings suggests there may be another one for that list: cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) level, which is determined by your VO2 max.

Although physicians dont routinely check this health marker, the researchers believe a CRF assessment shouldnt be reserved only for those experiencing cardiovascular issues.

We need to do a better job of promoting physical activity and exercise traininglike aerobic and resistance trainingthroughout the healthcare system, schools, the workplace, and society for prevention of cardiovascular disease, lead study author Jari Laukkanen, M.D., Ph.D., a cardiologist at the University of Eastern Finland, told Runners World. The long-term health of our populations will depend on the success of these efforts.

Researchers recruited about 59,000 people, aged 40 to 69, and assessed their cardiorespiratory fitness levels through a submaximal exercise test, or stress test, to determine each persons maximum capacity for exercise. From there, they were sorted into categories based on how well they handled the cardio workload.

Following up about six years later, researchers found that the group of people who were categorized as higher-riskthose who struggled with the stress testwas associated with a shorter lifespan.

The study shows that among subjects with a low risk and without diseases, greater fitness level was strongly associated with a lower risk of premature death, Laukkanen said. The findings enable new insights into the incremental, prognostic value of a fitness evaluation.

Although other health markers like blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and body mass index are all important to take into consideration, Laukkanen said fitness should be evaluated as well, as part of a normal annual physical.

The difficulty, he acknowledged, is that many physicians dont have easy access to such testing, nor do they have the personnel to administer and monitor the tests. That can make it tricky to request a CRF evaluation unless there are other risk factors that warrant the assessment.

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However, there is a something that everyone can do, whether theyre able to get tested or not.

Increase your physical activity and maintain it, said Laukkanen. That is what changes your CRF level and provides benefits not just in your cardiovascular system, but also in metabolic function, skeletal muscle, and pulmonary system.

No matter your fitness level, there are plenty of ways to work on boosting your VO2 max, such as adding HIIT workouts, track sessions, and tempo runs to your routine.

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Heres How Your VO2 Max and Your Lifespan May Be Related - runnersworld.com

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