Cardiorespiratory Fitness Assessment and Treatment for Health Span and Lifespan

Abstract

Poor cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is an important risk factor for age-related diseases including cardiovascular disease, cancer, dementia and osteoporosis. When evaluated through an active metabolism test and reported as VO2Max, or the maximal oxygen uptake during intense exercise, CRF is a highly valued functional marker to assess overall wellness and disease risk in the elderly. For every 3.5ml/kg/min increase in VO2Max there is an associated 13% decrease in all-cause mortality. CRF is trainable in the elderly through endurance and high intensity interval training. A Naturopathic Doctor’s holistic approach to optimal wellness includes exercise as a lifestyle intervention and CRF analysis enables their exercise protocols to be individualized for the purpose of improving VO2Max. VO2Max can be improved by up to 11% in 8 weeks with exercise consistency. CRF evaluation and treatment in the elderly population is a high priority of an evidence-informed optimal wellness program and one that Naturopathic Doctors are well trained to lead.