Abstract
Aging increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and other main non communicable diseases (NCD) (according to WHO - cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes). It also aftects the function and structure of arteries.
In healthy sedentary adults, aging is associated with increased stiffness of large elastic arteries and impaired vascular endothelial function. Compared with their sedentary peers, adults who regularly perform aerobic exercise demonstrate smaller or no age-associated increases in large elastic artery stiffness and reductions in vascular endothelial function.
Habitual exercise can improve functional capacity of the cardiovascular system, cardiac function and metabolism. Direct measurements of the peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) is accepted as the most valid index of aerobic fitness and cardiorespiratory capacity in both health and disease.
Even small improvements in physical fitness are associated with a significant improvement of quality of life decreased NCD prevalence and attenuation of the relative risk of premature death from any reason. So called "fitness age" can significantly differ from calendar age, being by several dacades ower in exercised aged subjects.
To estimate cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) a simple Nonexercise model of CRF and fitness age prediction can be used. Health care professionals should take a greater responsibility to influence patients and the public to become more physically active.