Maintaining Cardiorespiratory Fitness from Early Adulthood to Midlife Reduces Cardiovascular Risks and Mortality

New research reveals that individuals with higher cardiorespiratory fitness levels in early adulthood experience a reduced risk of cardiovascular-related diseases and death later in life. While previous studies have predominantly focused on cardiorespiratory fitness in midlife (ages 45 to 64), a study conducted by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham sheds light on the significance of fitness levels during early adulthood.

Published in JAMA Network Open, the study examined the impact of cardiorespiratory fitness in early adulthood (ages 18-30) and its influence on long-term health outcomes. The results demonstrate that maintaining cardiorespiratory fitness from early adulthood through midlife is associated with a lower risk of fatal or nonfatal cardiovascular events.

Lead author Kelley Pettee Gabriel, Ph.D., a professor of epidemiology in the UAB School of Public Health, highlights the often overlooked importance of cardiorespiratory exercise in early adulthood. “Our findings show that the level of cardiorespiratory fitness in early adulthood is related to long-term health,” states Gabriel.

The research utilized data from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study, which included over 5,000 individuals aged 18-30, self-identified as either Black or white. The study, initiated in 1985-86, involved regular in-person examinations every two to five years. Participants underwent cardiorespiratory fitness evaluations multiple times, including during their young adulthood and middle age. Data on deaths and cardiovascular events were collected annually.

The findings indicate that every additional minute of cardiorespiratory fitness in early adulthood resulted in a 27% lower risk of all-cause mortality in females and a 13% lower risk in males, along with an 11% lower risk of cardiovascular events. Furthermore, retaining 5% of young adult cardiorespiratory fitness into midlife was associated with an 11% reduced risk of death.

Previous CARDIA research led by Gabriel revealed a decline of 4.6% in maximum cardiorespiratory fitness from ages 20-25, with an additional 10% decline every five years from ages 30-50. The recent study emphasizes the importance of not only building cardiorespiratory fitness during early adulthood but also minimizing the decline in fitness levels as individuals age.

Gabriel concludes, “Ultimately, our findings show where you start and what you retain throughout adulthood have a significant impact on long-term health. We now know that not only is it important to build cardiorespiratory fitness in early adulthood, but also that we need to minimize the decline in those levels as much as possible as we age.”