Mixed
Cardiorespiratory fitness is a vital sign that strongly predicts reduced morbidity and mortality, and even small increases in fitness (1.0-1.5 METs) provide significant protective effects against chronic disease and premature death.
Focus on improving your cardiorespiratory fitness, as it is the strongest predictor of living longer and healthier. You don't need to be an elite athlete; even small improvements (equivalent to walking slightly faster or climbing a few flights of stairs) can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, and premature death. Consider fitness a vital sign to track.
Across different age and demographic groups, healthy and unhealthy adults, cardiorespiratory fitness had a profound impact on heart disease, cancer risk, and risk for premature death... the largest risk reduction is afforded by minimally increasing fitness (ie, 1.0–1.5 METs) so as not to be in a low fitness group.
Why this rating
Based on extensive review of research since 2009 showing profound impact across multiple disease states.
Source
Evidence-Based, High-Intensity Exercise and Physical Activity for Compressing Morbidity in Older Adults: A Narrative Review
Richard A. Winett et al. · Innovation in Aging · 2019
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →