# VO2max

VO2max is the maximum rate of oxygen consumption during intense exercise, typically expressed in mL/kg/min. Per the Fick principle, it reflects oxygen delivery (cardiac output, hemoglobin) multiplied by muscle extraction at the mitochondria. VO2max is among the strongest predictors of all-cause mortality: higher VO2max is robustly associated with lower long-term risk across cohort studies (e.g., Mandsager 2018), making it a central marker of cardiorespiratory fitness in longevity research.

## Sources

- Ross R, Blair SN, Arena R, et al.. (2016). Importance of assessing cardiorespiratory fitness in clinical practice: a case for fitness as a clinical vital sign. Circulation. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000461
- Bassett DR Jr, Howley ET. (2000). Limiting factors for maximum oxygen uptake and determinants of endurance performance. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005768-200001000-00012
- Mandsager K, Harb S, Cremer P, Phelan D, Nissen SE, Jaber W. (2018). Association of Cardiorespiratory Fitness With Long-term Mortality Among Adults Undergoing Exercise Treadmill Testing. JAMA Network Open. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.3605

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