For executives, health is more than avoiding illness. It’s about sustaining performance, making clear decisions, and having the energy to lead. One of the strongest predictors of long-term health and resilience is aerobic fitness (also called cardiorespiratory fitness).
Research consistently shows that aerobic fitness is as important to your future health as monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol, or body weight. A landmark study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology even found that low physical fitness was second only to smoking as a risk factor for premature death.
The Executive Advantage of VO₂ Max Testing
VO₂ max is the gold-standard measure of aerobic fitness. It reflects how efficiently your heart, lungs and muscles work together under stress. For executives, this number can be revealing:
Energy and stamina – a higher VO₂ max means your body can deliver more oxygen to your muscles, leaving you with more energy throughout the day.
Resilience under pressure – fitness strengthens your cardiovascular system, making you more capable of handling stress without fatigue.
Sharper decision-making – regular exercise that improves VO₂ max has been linked to better brain function, focus, and memory.
Longer health span – higher VO₂ max levels are associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, some cancers, and even dementia.
How We Measure VO₂ Max at EHS
The most precise way to measure VO₂ max is through circuit spirometry, which involves wearing a mask connected to an analyser to measure pulmonary ventilation and expired gases. However, this method is not always practical for our clients. Many found the mask uncomfortable, and in some cases, it caused apprehension or led to early termination of the test.
Instead, EHS provides a calculated VO₂ max estimate during all health assessments that include a stress ECG. This estimate is based on:
Duration, speed, and grade of the treadmill test (or power output on a cycle ergometer)
Established, validated prediction equations
Population averages from extensive clinical data
This indirect method offers a high level of accuracy in executive populations who are not accustomed to direct VO₂ testing. It provides actionable insights that are valuable for guiding fitness and lifestyle.
The Evidence: Fitness Protects Your Health
In one of the longest-running studies of its kind, men with low aerobic capacity had a 42% higher risk of premature death compared with the fittest group. Fitness even offset other risk factors. Participants with high fitness but poor cholesterol or blood pressure still lived longer than less-fit peers with “healthy” blood profiles.
A 2018 study in JAMA Network Open, involving over 120,000 adults, confirmed that the highest levels of fitness were linked with the lowest mortality risk, with no evidence of a ceiling to the benefits.
What We See at EHS
From more than 70,000 assessments in our clinical database, we’ve seen that many executives underestimate their aerobic fitness levels:
Around a quarter fall into the “unacceptable” fitness range
Almost half fall into the mid-range
Fewer than one in five achieve high fitness ratings
Self-reported exercise habits often mirror these results. With many executives doing less than the recommended 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week.
The Executive Advantage of Knowing Your VO₂ Max
Unlike routine blood tests, a VO₂ max score provides a forward-looking measure of your body’s capacity to stay well. For executives, this means:
Uncovering hidden risks – even with “normal” cholesterol and blood pressure, low aerobic fitness can signal increased disease risk.
Personalised action – results offer a clear baseline to design a fitness plan that fits around demanding schedules.
Sustained performance – protecting fitness helps maintain energy, decision-making and resilience now, while also securing long-term health and wellbeing.
Take Control of Your Future Health
VO₂ max testing is included in all EHS health assessments that include a stress ECG. By combining this measure with other critical tests such as blood pressure and cholesterol, you gain a complete picture of your health risks and resilience.
For executives, aerobic fitness isn’t just about exercise. It’s about sustaining the energy, clarity, and resilience you need to perform at your best, both in business and in life.
