Higher cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) significantly reduces the risk of chronic diseases and death. Involving 20.9 million participants from 199 studies, this analysis highlights CRF’s crucial role in enhancing healthspan and longevity.
May 2024 – British Journal of Sports Medicine
Key takeaways
- Higher cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is strongly linked to lower risk of chronic diseases: Elevated levels of CRF are associated with a reduced risk of developing various chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. This suggests that maintaining a higher level of CRF can act as a protective factor against these age-related diseases
- Increased CRF significantly reduces mortality rates across diverse populations: Individuals with higher CRF levels have lower mortality rates from all causes, including heart disease and other chronic illnesses. This relationship holds true across different age groups, genders, and ethnic backgrounds, emphasising the universal benefits of improving fitness
- Maintaining or improving CRF is crucial for enhancing healthspan and longevity: By prioritising regular physical activity that improves CRF, individuals can extend their years of healthy living, not just life expectancy. This focus on fitness supports better overall function and quality of life, reducing the impact of ageing
- CRF is a reliable and consistent predictor of overall health outcomes: Among various health metrics, CRF stands out as one of the most dependable indicators of future health. Unlike some biomarkers that may fluctuate, CRF consistently correlates with better health outcomes, making it a critical focus for those aiming to age healthily
Read the article at: Koch, Andreas M., et al. “Cardiorespiratory Fitness is a Strong and Consistent Predictor of Morbidity and Mortality Among Adults: An Overview of Meta-Analyses Representing over 20.9 Million Observations from 199 Unique Cohort Studies.” British Journal of Sports Medicine, vol. 58, no. 10, 2024, pp. 556-564.