Adults continue to shift their mindsets from the absolute length of their lives in years to the quality of life in those years. The lifespan to health span shift is critical because most aging adults do not want to live a longer life if it requires losing the parts, especially independence, of their life most valuable the most.
Medical research is constantly studying variables to best predict who will have both the longest quantity and, more importantly, quality of life. Important factors such as family history, smoking, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol should always be considered but they are not the best predictor. VO2 max or the maximal capacity of our bodies to utilize oxygen during high amounts of work or exercise is the best predictor of quality and quantity of life.
VO2 max can be tested in a laboratory or estimated using less expensive and complicated clinic testing. A person’s VO2 max is influenced significantly by genetics but all of us have an available range. Participants who consistently train their aerobic capacity are able to reach the higher end of their genetically determined range. Aerobic exercise which increases a participant’s VO2 max may also increase their cognitive function.
A recent study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine reported on the association between cardiovascular fitness and cognition (Oberlin et al. 2024). Authors studied 648 adults (average age 70, 71% female). Each participant underwent a VO2 max test on a treadmill, blood work, and a health history. Cognitive testing focused on memory, processing speed, executive function, attention, and visuospatial function. As expected higher cardiovascular fitness in older adulthood was associated with higher cognitive performance.
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