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Cardio fitness is a strong, consistent predictor of morbidity and mortality

bjsm.bmj.com

61–70 of 556 posts

Re: Cardio fitness is a strong, consistent predictor of morbidity and mortality

#62

The Apple watch has a decent cardio fitness monitor. The absolute values aren't precise (since it uses VO2Max estimates, which is really only accurate if you're doing a metabolic stress test), but it's good to keep an eye on trends.

Cardio still counts even if you don't measure it and share it with Apple.

I think that Apple end-to-end encrypts fitness data.

Re: Cardio fitness is a strong, consistent predictor of morbidity and mortality

#63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As the OP mentioned, absolute numbers are garbage, but trends are useful. Once a year just get an actual VO2Max test to peg the watch values too.

Where do you get a VO2Max test?

I just googled around and there were plenty of testing facility options in my metro area (Boston). Cost was reasonable too, typically less than <$100.

Re: Cardio fitness is a strong, consistent predictor of morbidity and mortality

#64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The poor VO2Max estimates on the Apple Watch is why I'm phasing out of wearing one. I track my actual VO2Max measurements in Apple Health via a shortcut, and I don't need a daily made-up number messing up my data.

As the OP mentioned, absolute numbers are garbage, but trends are useful. Once a year just get an actual VO2Max test to peg the watch values too.

The trends aren’t really useful either unless you are recording strenuous exercise with the watch. I do a lot of cycling and my fitness in terms of how much power I can put out and for how long and my average heart rate for the same power has increased vastly, yet according to Apple my VO2 max has stayed consistent at around 45 for years since I only record walking exercises with it. I guess there’s not much it can tell if you only hit the mid 80s bpm at most during an exercise.

I realise it’s also another estimate but based on my cycling exercises Garmin is estimating my VO2 max at 55 and it does show a progression in my values.

Re: Cardio fitness is a strong, consistent predictor of morbidity and mortality

#65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For better or worse (worse), people don't go to the doctor for lifestyle analysis and rarely take lifestyle advice from their doctors. They go to their doctors to know when to start medical interventions. Even simple waist-to-hip ratio assessement would be a big win for identifying lifestyle concerns, but neither that nor the far more involved VO2Max and DEXA rests are going to become standard unless they becoming a…

> Even simple waist-to-hip ratio assessement Settling for subpar "could be good enough" heuristics instead of doing actual measurements is partly why people are less receptive. Basically it'd just be telling them they're fat, and not what's their actual individual risk, and it would also make tracking progress overly difficult: what if after a year of exercice their VO2Max greatly improves while waist to hip only sli…

Waist-to-hip ratio is as accurate as dexascans and VO2Max measurements done in a lab.

People don't want to hear it because they are out of shape.

Re: Cardio fitness is a strong, consistent predictor of morbidity and mortality

#66
post #2

So the sicker you are the less in shape you are in? Seems obvious to me.

The less in shape you are, the sicker you can possibly get.

That seems counter intuitive I’d expect that, if you are in very good shape you can get more sick before dying.

Re: Cardio fitness is a strong, consistent predictor of morbidity and mortality

#67
post #11

There’s amusing statistics that show that if you’re out of shape and a smoker, you get a bigger bang for the buck from getting in shape first than quitting smoking. Disclaimer: not an endorsement of smoking.

How much time do you have to get into shape? When it takes 50 years, the statistic probably doesn't hold because you will be dead by then due to the negative influence of smoking on your health.

Its not cardiovasuclar, but the top 2 causes of death in the US are tied to obesity, which takes zero time to reduce. You just have to not eat, which is actually time positive.

Most humans are just incredibly bad at impulse control.

Re: Cardio fitness is a strong, consistent predictor of morbidity and mortality

#68

Fortunately, this seems relatively simple to change (compared to other things with this magnitude of impact). It was a transformative experience to go from 40 VO2max to 57 (as reported by Apple Watch, and losing 30lbs on the way) over the past 12 months. The best part about it is that I didn't even have to give up anything - the extra energy I gained from 90-120 minutes of aerobics per day also had the effect of maki…

that’s an amazing change. Could you elaborate on your training regimen?

Re: Cardio fitness is a strong, consistent predictor of morbidity and mortality

#69

Fortunately, this seems relatively simple to change (compared to other things with this magnitude of impact). It was a transformative experience to go from 40 VO2max to 57 (as reported by Apple Watch, and losing 30lbs on the way) over the past 12 months. The best part about it is that I didn't even have to give up anything - the extra energy I gained from 90-120 minutes of aerobics per day also had the effect of maki…

40 to 57 is a huge increase in a year - kudos!

Re: Cardio fitness is a strong, consistent predictor of morbidity and mortality

#70
post #11

There’s amusing statistics that show that if you’re out of shape and a smoker, you get a bigger bang for the buck from getting in shape first than quitting smoking. Disclaimer: not an endorsement of smoking.

Getting back to the baseline isn’t a bonus
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