Fitness & ExerciseMarch 6, 2026·5 min read
By the CIRRUS Editorial Team — how we write and source this
VO2 max: the longevity marker everyone's suddenly measuring
A metric that used to live in exercise physiology labs is now on wrist wearables — and increasingly cited by longevity researchers.
VO2 max measures the maximum rate at which your body can consume oxygen during intense exercise — a proxy for how efficiently your heart, lungs, and muscles work together under maximal demand.
Population studies have found VO2 max to be one of the stronger predictors of all-cause mortality risk among measurable fitness metrics, which is the main driver of its crossover from sports science into general longevity discussion.
Wearable estimates use heart rate response during submaximal exercise combined with pace or power data to model VO2 max, rather than the gold-standard lab test involving a mask and metabolic cart — useful for tracking your own trend, less reliable as an exact absolute number.
The practical lever for improving it is unglamorous but consistent across the research: a mix of sustained aerobic volume and periodic higher-intensity intervals, sustained over months, not a single workout type or supplement.
This article is general health information, not medical advice, and doesn’t replace evaluation by your own physician. Talk to a doctor about anything specific to your own diagnosis or treatment.