VO₂ max, the maximum amount of oxygen the body can utilize during intense exercise, is increasingly recognized as one of the most powerful predictors of longevity and physical resilience. Often considered the “gold standard” for assessing cardiovascular fitness, VO₂ max is expressed in milliliters of oxygen per kilogram of body weight per minute (mL/kg/min).

During a VO₂ max test, a person runs or cycles while wearing a mask connected to a metabolic cart that measures oxygen intake and carbon dioxide output. The test progressively increases in difficulty until exhaustion, allowing practitioners to determine the body’s upper limit of aerobic performance. According to the University of Virginia’s Exercise Physiology Lab, this protocol reveals how efficiently the heart, lungs, and muscles function together.

VO₂ max scores vary by age, sex, and fitness level. Based on data from the American Heart Association, a 30-year-old man in excellent condition might have a VO₂ max of 55–60 mL/kg/min, while the average for his age is closer to 40–45. For a woman of the same age, excellent scores fall in the 47–52 range, with averages around 35–40. These numbers decline naturally with age, but regular training can preserve higher VO₂ max levels well into later life.

Perhaps more importantly, VO₂ max is directly tied to survival rates. A 2018 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that cardiorespiratory fitness was inversely associated with all-cause mortality. In other words, the higher the VO₂ max, the lower the risk of death from any cause, making it a critical metric for anyone seeking long-term healthspan and functional independence.

For individuals seeking a comprehensive evaluation of their fitness and longevity markers, DexaFit offers VO₂ max testing in a controlled environment with advanced technology. Their tests provide personalized insights into aerobic capacity, fat-burning zones, and optimal training thresholds. As part of a broader health strategy, VO₂ max testing at DexaFit is a data-driven step toward lasting physical resilience.