Determining Fitness Age

A recent insight has revealed that exercise may be able to significantly change the manner in which genes operate. Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim have come out with a way to evaluate aerobic fitness and estimating the “fitness age.” Fitness age is gauging how the body functions physically compared to how it should work according to the age.

During the study, researchers studied certain vital parameters of 5000 Norwegians between the ages of 20 and 90, using mobile labs.

They noted own measurements, such as heart rate, height, body mass index, resting heart rate, HDL and total cholesterol levels. They were asked to run on a treadmill till they were very exhausted and could not run anymore.

The peak oxygen intake (VO2 max) was noted down and this reading is thought to indicate fitness age.

They also sought to assess VO2 max without a treadmill. Noting five measurements — waist circumference; resting heart rate; frequency and intensity of exercise; age; and sex and including it in an algorithm made it possible to predict a person’s VO2 max with precision.

“A 70-year-old man or woman who has the peak oxygen uptake of a 20-year-old has a fitness age of 20. A youthful fitness age is the single best predictor of current and future health,” Dr Wisloff said.

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Source-Medindia