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The surprising secret of cardiorespiratory fitness: Why is it considered a key indicator of life?
In today's medical research, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) has become an important indicator of health. It not only affects the body's ability to exercise, but is also closely related to the risk of disease and mortality. According to scientists, cardiorespiratory fitness refers to the ability of the circulatory and respiratory systems to supply oxygen to skeletal muscles during sustained physical activity. These physiological functions, including ventilation, perfusion, gas exchange, and vasodilation, are the cornerstone of human health.
Levels of cardiorespiratory fitness can be quantified and used to measure an individual's risk of disease and death.
In an official scientific report released in 2016, the American Heart Association emphasized that cardiorespiratory fitness should be considered a clinical vital sign and be assessed regularly in clinical practice. Research shows that low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality. Some medical researchers even say that cardiorespiratory fitness is a stronger predictor of mortality than common risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.
How to improve cardiorespiratory fitness? Regular physical activity and exercise have been shown to help improve cardiorespiratory fitness, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and other health problems, and improve overall health. Different types of exercise, such as endurance running, weight training, and athletic competition, all have health benefits. However, research shows that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is particularly effective at improving cardiorespiratory fitness and maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max).
High-intensity interval training is considered effective in improving cardiorespiratory fitness in people of all ages.
The history and background of cardiorespiratory fitness
The quantitative method of cardiorespiratory fitness appeared in the 1920s. British physiologist Archibald Hill proposed a multi-factor relationship between the rate of oxygen uptake by body tissues and the intensity of physical activity. He coined the term VO2 max, which became a basic indicator of exercise testing, marking the beginning of cardiorespiratory fitness research.
VO2 max represents the maximum oxygen uptake per kilogram of body mass per minute and has become the main measurement basis for cardiorespiratory fitness.
Measurement of cardiorespiratory fitness
There are many ways to measure cardiorespiratory fitness, and VO2 max has been the most widely accepted measure since the 1960s. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is regarded as the gold standard for verifying VO2 max. Testers need to analyze gas exchange during exercise, usually until the maximum effort value is reached.
As technology advances, there are many other ways to estimate VO2 max, including walking or jogging a specific distance, or gradually increasing the incline on a treadmill until you reach a submaximal target. These methods are flexible and adaptable to test subjects of different ages and health conditions.
Adaptation of the cardiovascular system
The cardiovascular system responds to changes in the body's demands by adjusting cardiac output, blood flow, and blood pressure. Cardiac output is the product of heart rate and stroke volume and represents the amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute. During exercise, cardiac output increases due to increases in heart rate and stroke volume.
Conclusion
The development of cardiorespiratory fitness not only improves people's exercise capabilities, but also provides possible solutions for reducing multiple health risks. Therefore, improving cardiorespiratory fitness is not only a health goal, but should be considered an important part of everyone's life. Have you paid attention to improving your cardiorespiratory fitness in your daily life?
