The Fittest People Have One-Fifth the Death Risk of the Least Fit
That top group is reachable with deliberate training for your age.
Andrew Huberman · Exercise, Nutrition, Hormones for Vitality & Longevity | Dr. Peter AttiaPeople with the highest levels of cardiovascular fitness have one-fifth the risk of dying at any given time as the least fit people their age. Peter Attia, a doctor focused on longevity, says that comparing the bottom quarter to the top 2.5 percent for VO2 max, a measure of cardiovascular fitness, reveals a fivefold, or 400 percent, difference in all-cause mortality, the risk of death from any cause.
Even average fitness helps a lot. People in the middle, from the 50th to 75th percentile for their age and sex, have roughly half the death risk of those in the bottom quarter.
Elite here does not mean world-class athlete. Attia says his own VO2 max ranks as elite for his age, even though he no longer competes, because he trains deliberately to keep it there.
Questions people ask
What exactly does VO2 max measure?
It measures the maximum amount of oxygen your body can use during hard exercise, usually expressed in milliliters per kilogram per minute. It reflects how well your lungs, heart, blood vessels, and muscles work together. In general, a higher number means a stronger cardiovascular system.
How do you raise VO2 max?
General exercise science points to regular aerobic training, with a mix of longer steady sessions and shorter hard intervals. Consistency over months matters more than any single workout. Attia does not spell out a training plan in these segments.
Is a fivefold gap unusually large?
Yes. Attia calls it probably the single strongest association he has seen for any modifiable behavior. A fivefold difference means the least-fit group faces five times the risk of death at any given time as the fittest group.