Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Youth: An Important Marker of Health: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

Circulation. 2020 Aug 18;142(7):e101-e118. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000866. Epub 2020 Jul 20.

Abstract

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) refers to the capacity of the circulatory and respiratory systems to supply oxygen to skeletal muscle mitochondria for energy production needed during physical activity. CRF is an important marker of physical and mental health and academic achievement in youth. However, only 40% of US youth are currently believed to have healthy CRF. In this statement, we review the physiological principles that determine CRF, the tools that are available to assess CRF, the modifiable and nonmodifiable factors influencing CRF, the association of CRF with markers of health in otherwise healthy youth, and the temporal trends in CRF both in the United States and internationally. Development of a cost-effective CRF measurement process that could readily be incorporated into office visits and in field settings to screen all youth periodically could help identify those at increased risk.

Keywords: AHA Scientific Statements; cardiorespiratory fitness; cardiovascular diseases; cognition; exercise; mental health; physical activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • American Heart Association*
  • Cardiorespiratory Fitness*
  • Exercise*
  • Humans
  • Mental Health*
  • United States