Absolute Peak Exercise Capacity Predicts Mortality

Absolute Peak Exercise Capacity is what medicalThe risk of death for those who could not get
researchers call the most intense aspect ofbeyond 4 METs (brisk walking) was more than
exercise. It's the hardest part. It's the 15 secondsdouble the group who could get past 8 MET
of sprinting at the end of a run. It's the most(jogging).
difficult 10 seconds during the highest level on anWhat does this mean to you? These findings
exercise bike. It's the last few reps at the end ofreveal that you (with physician clearance first)
working "legs" in the gym. It's walking up stairsshould consider performing high- intensity fitness
and having to stop and catch your breath.training that will increase your "absolute peak
When the highest-intensity aspect of exercise isexercise capacity" and raise MET performance
measured, it has been proven to be a betterrating during exercise. This type of
predictor of how long someone will live than otherexercise-high-intensity, anaerobic fitness training
factors-including the risk factors-high cholesterol,that makes you sweat and breathe hard-is the
diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, and evenmost demanding type of exercise and your
heart disease.physician needs to be involved. However, this is
Researchers from Stanford University, Veteransthe type of fitness training that yields the
Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, testedgreatest results for healthy adults.
over 6,200 men and concluded that the chancesDo you need external motivation to work harder
of staying alive increase by 12 percent with eachand push yourself that extra 1%?
increase of a single metabolic equivalent whenWould you like to save time on your workouts
exercising as hard as possible on a treadmill.while still getting the greatest "bang" for your
What's a MET? A "metabolic equivalent" (MET) iseffort? Well, if so, our Fitter U and Treadmill
the amount of oxygen used by an averageTrainer MP3 guided workouts will help you. They
seated person. METs increase with the intensitywill help you give that extra 1% which can mean
of exercise.the difference between reaching your "peak
• 2 METs = walking at 2 mph •exercise capacity" and achieving your goals, or
5 METs = walking at 4 mph • 8 METs =not.
jogging at 6 mph