VO2 max training
Behavioral · Evidence and recent research
Notify me when meaningful evidence changes.
Where things stand
Aerobic training improves the ability to sustain activity and is part of an established approach to healthy ageing. VO₂ max describes how much oxygen the body can use during intense exercise. It is a fitness measure, not a lifespan clock: improving a test result should not automatically be interpreted as gaining a particular number of years. Source ↗ Recently: The latest trial-registry update in our collection is dated Oct 26, 2026: “Effect of Preoperative Resistance and Aerobic Endurance Training on Surgical Outcomes and Evaluation of Patient Compliance With Prehabilitation in Colorectal Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial”. Its implications have not yet been summarized in a source-checked review. Read update ↗
AI-written overview · not expert-reviewed · Background sources checked Sep 23, 2026 · Recent updates cover the last 30 days of this collection. A new report does not automatically change the evidence assessment.
Background and coverage
NIA: benefits of physical activity ↗
- Regulatory status
- Not applicable
- Availability
- Widely available
- Category
- Behavioral
- Human results verified here
- 1
Evidence collection is needs review. 0 approved assessments; 35 assessments awaiting review; 1 published studies with verified results. Safety: not assessed.
Recorded evidence activity (experimental)
A numeric breakdown will be available after baseline review. Safety is not yet assessed.
What changed
Evidence events affecting this intervention
Effect of Preoperative Resistance and Aerobic Endurance Training on Surgical Outcomes and Evaluation of Patient Compliance With Prehabilitation in Colorectal Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Trial registry update: RECRUITING. No results reported in the supplied registry record.
The Effects of Regular Exercise Training on Biological Aging in Older Adults: Investigation of Epigenetic and Functional Changes
Trial registry update: COMPLETED. No results reported in the supplied registry record.
Targeting Muscle-Bone Crosstalk: The Potential of Physical Therapy in Managing Cancer-Induced Cachexia
Trial registry update: NOT_YET_RECRUITING. No results reported in the supplied registry record.
Effectiveness of Community Physical Exercise Program in Chronic Disease (CPEP - Chronic Disease), a Clinical Randomized Controlled Trial
Trial registry update: NOT_YET_RECRUITING. No results reported in the supplied registry record.
Assessing the Impact of Age, and a Short-term High-intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on Skeletal Muscle Mass and Mitochondrial Activity
Trial registry update: COMPLETED. No results reported in the supplied registry record.
PhActHealth - Physical Activity and Healthy Aging: Fighting Low Grade Chronic Inflammation to Put Out the Cardio-oncologic Risk
Trial registry update: RECRUITING. No results reported in the supplied registry record.
Impacts of Aerobic, Resistance and Cognitive Training Interventions on Neurocognitive Functions in Older Adults With Cardiovascular Risk Factors.
Trial registry update: COMPLETED. No results reported in the supplied registry record.
The Effects of Regular Exercise Training on Biological Aging in Older Adults: Investigation of Epigenetic and Functional Changes
Trial registry update: COMPLETED. No results reported in the supplied registry record.
Targeting Muscle-Bone Crosstalk: The Potential of Physical Therapy in Managing Cancer-Induced Cachexia
Trial registry update: NOT_YET_RECRUITING. No results reported in the supplied registry record.
Exercise increases circulating Klotho across populations; meta-analysis of 14 randomized trials
A meta-analysis of 14 randomized controlled trials (n=893, ages 30-94) examined the effect of exercise training on circulating α-Klotho. Chronic training (≥12 weeks) produced a pooled effect of Hedges' g=1.20 (95% CI 0.85-1.55). In chronic kidney disease patients specifically, exercise increased Klotho by 158.82 pg/mL and reduced FGF23 by 102.07 pg/mL. Resistance training and high-intensity interval training showed the most robust effects.
Short-term HIIT and resistance training in RCT examining effects on skeletal muscle mitochondrial function in older adults
This is a registered clinical trial protocol that planned to examine how age affects skeletal muscle mitochondrial function and whether a 4-week home-based exercise intervention could alter this. The study compared high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to resistance training using bands in older participants.
Acute aerobic exercise associated with glymphatic function changes on MRI in cognitively unimpaired adults
This prospective observational study recruited cognitively unimpaired adults aged 25–55 and 55–75 years to examine whether acute aerobic exercise affects glymphatic function measured by multi-modal MRI. All enrolled subjects participated in an exercise session without randomization or control group. The study aimed to test whether elevated cardiac activity during exercise enhances cerebrospinal fluid-interstitial fluid exchange and whether glymphatic dysfunction increases with age and associates with preclinical Alzheimer's pathology.
Exercise during cancer treatment may affect fitness and immune markers in breast cancer patients.
PhActHealth is a multicenter RCT enrolling women with newly diagnosed luminal B or triple-negative breast cancer. Participants were randomly assigned to lifestyle counseling alone (control) or counseling plus a personalized aerobic and resistance exercise program during neoadjuvant treatment. The study measured exercise capacity as the primary outcome, with secondary outcomes including immune response, autonomic nervous system regulation, cardiovascular health, and tumor aggressiveness markers.
Aerobic, resistance, and cognitive training associated with neurocognitive outcomes in older adults with cardiovascular risk factors.
The ACTIONcardioRisk trial investigated the effect of combined aerobic exercise, progressive resistance training, and cognitive training on neurocognitive functioning in sedentary older adults with and without cardiovascular risk factors. The abstract does not report what effects were found, sample size, or effect sizes.
Six-month HIIT associated with changes in DNA methylation-based aging measures in adults 50-70 years old
This observational study examined whether exercise volume from a 6-month supervised high-intensity interval training program was associated with changes in DNA methylation-based biological aging measures and other physiological markers in adults aged 50-70 years. Participants completed three supervised sessions weekly, with training intensity individually prescribed and monitored. The study assessed multiple biological aging clocks (DNAmFitAge, DNAmPhenoAge, DNAmGrimAge, Hannum Age, DunedinPACE, and others) along with cardiovascular function, aerobic capacity, muscle performance, body composition, metabolic biomarkers, and gut microbiome composition before and after the intervention.
RCT of physical therapy program shows exercise effects on cancer-induced cachexia biomarkers
This randomized controlled trial compared a 3-month progressive exercise program (aerobic and resistance training) plus standard care versus standard chemotherapy and nutritional counseling alone in patients aged 40-60 receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy for non-metastatic cancer. The study measured biomarkers related to muscle-bone signaling (myokines and osteokines) and functional physical outcomes to assess whether targeted exercise could attenuate cachexia.
Home-based exercise trial in chronic liver disease testing aerobic versus combined training effects
This is a randomized controlled trial comparing home-based aerobic exercise (AE), combined aerobic and resistance exercise (ARE), and control (physical activity counseling) in adult patients with chronic liver disease who have complications including sarcopenia, malnutrition, and fatigue. The 8-week intervention measured oxygen consumption, muscle strength, body composition, frailty, fatigue, and quality of life before and after the program. The abstract describes the study design and planned measurements but does not report the actual results or findings.
Community physical exercise program for older adults with chronic disease, randomized trial
A randomized controlled trial tested a community-based physical exercise program in people aged 50 and older with multiple chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or musculoskeletal disease. The program aimed to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, bone health, functional capacity, and quality of life through personalized exercise prescription. The abstract describes the study design and objectives but does not report the actual findings, effect sizes, or whether outcomes improved.
Exercise during hemodialysis compared to standard care in a three-arm randomized trial.
A randomized controlled trial assigned hemodialysis patients to one of three groups: aerobic exercise using a cycle ergometer, resistance exercise using elastic bands, or standard care. After 6 months, researchers assessed physical function, body composition, quality of life, and dialysis-related outcomes. The abstract does not report the actual results, sample size, or effect sizes.
Assessment history
The 25 most recent recorded changes, including corrections and backfill
Human studies with verified results
Animal and mechanistic evidence
No preclinical studies tracked yet
Clinical trials
Claims
Testable statements and where the evidence stands