VO2 Max: The Longevity Unicorn
Written by Jon Bula: Masters Athlete, Cat 2 Cyclist, MSc in Exercise Physiology
A high VO2max has an almost unbelievable positive impact on improving longevity. Increasing VO2max not only decreases cardiovascular mortality but it is associated with risk reduction of all-cause mortality at any age! Pretty amazing. With aerobic fitness (VO2max) the higher the better.
What is VO2max? Simply put, it is the maximal amount of oxygen that a person can use during intense exercise. It is directly related to the body’s ability to deliver oxygen to the working muscle and the muscle’s ability to use it. It is one of the best indicators of aerobic performance and cardiorespiratory fitness. You will see VO2max values expressed in L/min or when comparing between individuals (adjusted for body mass) it’s shown as ml/kg/min.
VO2max has been shown to decline with age, but this decline can be mitigated by regular exercise, Zone 2 and Zone 5 (see previous blog posts). There are many field tests that can indirectly measure VO2max, but the gold standard happens in the lab using a metabolic cart. Finding out your VO2max can be helpful, but it doesn’t change the fact that in order to be healthy and keep disease at bay, cardiovascular exercise is key.
Don’t neglect your cardiovascular exercise because nothing keeps you as healthy as being aerobically fit.
https://peterattiamd.com/breaking-down-vo2-max/