When It Comes to Health, Fitness Beats BMI and Body Composition, Research Suggests

What Is VO2 Max?

A VO2 max test measures how much oxygen a person can utilize during intense or maximal exercise. It is considered an effective way to measure a person’s aerobic endurance and overall cardiovascular fitness.

• A traditional VO2 max test is done on a treadmill, but it can also be done on a rowing machine or stationary bike. The test begins at a comfortable pace, and the intensity increases incrementally until you can no longer hold on.

The Details

The research looked at data from 20 studies that included close to 400,000 people where cardiovascular fitness was compared to BMI. It analyzed both a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease and overall risk of mortality.

• The result: Those who are overweight or obese but performed well on their VO2 max fitness test did not have a statistically significant higher risk of heart disease or death. However, those who did not perform well on a VO2 max test had a two to three times greater risk of heart disease or death, regardless of whether they were overweight or obese.

The researchers, led by Siddhartha Angadi, an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Virginia, surmised that, from a health perspective, being unfit is then a much greater health risk than carrying extra weight.

The Big Picture

While the link between exercise and health has long been established, we still tend to use markers like BMI and body composition rather than fitness tests to measure health.

But if this study — and the study from September 2024 — hold merit, then it’s about time we start considering a person’s fitness level in the bigger picture health equation.

Because even though they say you can’t outrun a bad diet, if you continue to exercise and stay fit, you actually…maybe…sort of…can.

Conclusion

The study suggests that VO2 max may be a better indicator of overall health and susceptibility to disease than BMI or body composition. It highlights the importance of considering a person’s fitness level when assessing their health, rather than just focusing on their weight or body composition.

FAQs

Q: What is VO2 max? A: VO2 max is a measure of how much oxygen a person can utilize during intense or maximal exercise.

Q: How is VO2 max measured? A: VO2 max is typically measured using a treadmill test, but it can also be done on a rowing machine or stationary bike.

Q: What does the study suggest about the relationship between fitness and health? A: The study suggests that being unfit is a greater health risk than being overweight or obese, and that VO2 max may be a better indicator of overall health and susceptibility to disease than BMI or body composition.