I recently took a reading of my VO2 Max. This is why I exercise, and why I believe you should, too.
Everyone wants to look good and feel better. But the impact of consistent exercise on your functional health and longevity are undeniable, and in my opinion, are what really matter.
VO2 Max is essentially a measure of how much oxygen your body is able to utilize during exercise, and has become a good barometer of longevity. In other words, all other factors being equal, the better your VO2 Max reading, the longer you are predicted to live.
The most accurate reading of VO2 Max is recorded in a lab while wearing a mask. This reading is from my Garmin watch. Not the most accurate, but a pretty good approximation, from what I’ve researched. Even if it’s in the ballpark, at 55 I’ll take a fitness age 2 decades younger. I’m still working on it, but if at 90 I’m feeling like I’m 70, I’ll probably be thrilled with that.
So what does oxygen uptake have to do with longevity? Surely a more robust cardiovascular system translates to more efficient physiology. But beyond that, it’s what goes into building a healthier system that matters.
You see, increasing your VO2 Max requires consistent work over time. It demands that you engage in activities that require physical output sufficient to stress your entire body, such that you are spending at least some time at or near your threshold heart rate.
All the while, whether your realize it or not, your are improving your strength, and coordination, and balance, and endurance. In short, you’re improving your quality of life. And also, most likely, adding to your quantity of life.
What are the big threats that come for us as we age? Fall risks. Heart disease. Diabetes. High blood pressure. Cancer. Neurodegenerative disease.
Exercise helps to mitigate all of them.
I am not unique. You can drastically improve your health and fitness regardless of your starting point. It just takes the will to start, and the commitment to stick with it.
While I am generally active, the most time I invest in structured exercise at this point is about an hour a day.
If this all proves inaccurate and I don’t gain a single additional year, I have to say that life is still much more enjoyable feeling like I’m 20 years younger!
