Maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) emerges as a stronger predictor of long-term health and mortality than blood pressure or cholesterol, with individuals in exceptional fitness demonstrating five times lower mortality risk. Regular aerobic exercise can increase VO₂max by 10–20%, offering a highly modifiable intervention for longevity. — Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels (Pexels License)
Prof. Giorgi Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD, is Editor-in-Chief of the Georgian Medical Journal and Chair of the Public Health Institute of Georgia (PHIG). He is Professor and Head of the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences at David Tvildiani Medical University, and Secretary/Treasurer of the UEMS Section of Public Health. ORCID: 0000-0001-7609-4515.
