Are you curious to know how well you are aging? Discover your ‘fitness’ age with these fantastic tips and the online fitness age calculator!
Calculating your fitness age helps determine how well you are aging. It is a scientifically studied concept that estimates whether your body is biologically older or younger than your chronological age based on a few simple health measures. Research suggests that if you are 50, your fitness age could range from 25 to 75, depending on your physical condition. Therefore, it is essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle to improve your fitness age and overall well-being.
Research indicates that if your fitness age is more significant than your actual chronological age, you may be at a higher risk of developing various diseases and premature death. However, it is now possible to determine your fitness age using online tools, and if it surpasses your actual age, you can take steps to reduce it by engaging in exercise. This means that adopting the proper exercise regime can significantly lower your risk of developing diseases and increase your chances of living a longer, healthier life.
Why you should calculate Fitness Age?
If you want to find out your fitness age, there are a few things you’ll need to know. Firstly, you’ll need to determine your height in centimeters and weight in kilograms. You’ll also need to know your resting heart rate, which you can easily measure using a smartwatch or a 15-second pulse test. Additionally, you’ll need to have an honest estimate of how frequently and intensely you exercise. Once you have this information, you can input it into an online calculator, which will let you know whether you’re biologically older or younger than your actual age. This can be a helpful way to gauge your overall fitness and make any necessary adjustments to your exercise routine.
Did you know that our fitness age, which is different from our chronological age, can be a strong predictor of our health span and longevity? Over a decade ago, researchers discovered this concept and found that aerobic fitness, also known as VO2max, is crucial in determining our overall health. In fact, studies have shown that VO2max is a more reliable indicator of our health and lifespan compared to commonly used health indicators such as blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, and smoking history.
Researchers in Norway conducted a study to measure the VO2max of thousands of Norwegians between the ages of 20 and 90. They also monitored various health indicators such as body composition, blood pressure, heart rate, exercise habits, and eventual longevity to gather more information about their overall health. This research aims to provide insights into understanding the relationship between VO2max and general health and how it may impact longevity.
After analyzing a large dataset, researchers found that certain health indicators have a strong correlation with VO2 max, a measure of aerobic capacity. Using this information, they devised an algorithm that could estimate one’s aerobic capacity based on these indicators. By cross-checking this estimate with longevity data, they were able to create a simple, web-based calculator that can determine one’s “fitness age.”
Check here the two habits I learned to stay healthy as I age
‘More years living healthy.’
According to Ulrik Wisloff, the head of the Cardiac Exercise Research Group at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, Norway, and one of the original fitness age researchers, fitness age is still being investigated as a potential predictor of disease, mortality risk, and overall good health. This ongoing research aims to shed more light on the relationship between fitness age and overall health and well-being.
Research conducted since 2019 has revealed that using a specific algorithm in a fitness calculator can help determine an individual’s fitness age. Maintaining a relatively low fitness age has been linked to a significantly lower risk of developing various long-term health conditions such as heart attack, depression, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, brain shrinkage, and dementia in middle-aged and older individuals of both genders.
It is important to note that if you develop a chronic disease, having a low fitness age can be beneficial as it leads to a slower progression of symptoms. This means that you are likely to have more healthy years ahead of you compared to someone with a higher fitness age than their chronological age.
According to Pamela Peeke, a physician and researcher recently elected to the American College of Sports Medicine Foundation Board, the fitness age calculator is an easy-to-use tool that can help determine the various internal and external factors that affect the aging process of an individual.
An unpublished study of Senior Olympians in 2015, which involved more than 4,000 athletes over the age of 50, showed that the average fitness age of the athletes was 25 years younger than their chronological age. The athletes used a calculator to assess their fitness age for the study, and their average chronological age was 68, while their average fitness age was 43. This biennial, elite competition for athletes over the age of 50 is known as the Senior Olympics, and the study highlighted the impressive physical fitness levels of these athletes.
Check here for the best exercise for seniors to live to 100
How to calculate fitness age and then lower it
Did you know that there is a free fitness age calculator available online? This calculator has been developed and maintained by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and was first introduced in 2013. Since then, it has been updated and simplified multiple times to make it more user-friendly. To date, approximately 80 million people worldwide have used this calculator to determine their fitness age. Wisloff, the creator of the calculator, shared this information.
Click on this link to use the fitness age calculator.
Did you know you can make your fitness age years or even decades lower than your actual age? According to experts, regular and vigorous physical activity can do wonders for your aerobic system and improve your VO2 max, ultimately changing your fitness age. Up-tempo exercises that increase your breathing and heart rate to the point where you can barely talk are particularly effective. So, if you want to feel younger and healthier, make sure to move often and engage in some high-intensity workouts.
According to Wisloff, exercising doesn’t have to be an unpleasant task. Even if it’s challenging, it can be made enjoyable and informal. There are several easy ways to start reversing the effects of aging on your fitness level. Read on for some helpful tips:
- If you enjoy walking, try to find a hill and walk up to the top as fast as possible. Then, return to the base and repeat the climb one or two more times.
- If you have access to a treadmill or stationary bike, attempt the 4 x 4 intervals workout. Run or cycle at a challenging pace for 4 minutes, rest by walking or pedaling lightly for 3 minutes, and then repeat the sequence four times in total.
- Occasionally, perform a short bodyweight workout that may include brisk walking, jogging, or dancing.
Exerting yourself vigorously for even a few minutes several times a week should soon improve your fitness age.
While time travel remains a fantasy confined to the realm of science fiction, it is possible to improve our fitness age. It’s important to note that having a low fitness age doesn’t literally make us younger or guarantee a longer lifespan. There are several other factors that impact our overall health and longevity, such as genetics, nutrition, income, and luck. However, prioritizing regular exercise and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can undoubtedly improve our physical fitness and overall well-being.
The concept of fitness age allows us to measure how well our bodies perform compared to others of the same chronological age. While it provides us with only a glimpse into our current physical condition, this information can be used to motivate and celebrate our efforts to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.
According to Dr. Peeke, the fitness age calculator can be helpful for individuals who require a reality check and a wake-up call regarding their fitness levels. It can provide valuable insights into one’s overall health status. Additionally, it can be a rewarding experience for those committed to improving their fitness levels and achieving their health goals.
Check this Best Resource on Old Age Fitness
About Author: Renu Bakshi, AKA Fitness Buffhq, is an ISSA Certified Elite Trainer. He
passed the Personal Fitness Trainer Course, Nutrition Health Coach course & Specialist Exercise Therapy course from ISSA, USA, obtaining + 97% marks. He shares his experience and knowledge about nutrition and effective workouts to get you in the best shape of your life, no matter how old you may be. The author says, “Age is just a number!”
IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is general and for information only because it doesn’t consider your health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalized health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should determine if the information is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.
