Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Physical fitness, particularly cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and muscle strength, is associated with reduced disease risk. However, its combined association with biological aging in promoting healthy longevity remains unanswered. We investigated whether cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and muscle strength could modify the prospective associations between accelerated biological aging and premature termination of healthy longevity.
DESIGN: Prospective observational study.
SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: This study included 46,481 UK Biobank participants.
METHODS: CRF was estimated via individualized submaximal bike protocols and muscle strength was measured using hand dynamometers. Biological aging was quantified using PhenoAge based on 9 blood biomarkers and chronological age. Age acceleration (PhenoAgeAccel) was derived from regressing PhenoAge on chronological age. Termination of healthy longevity was defined as the first occurrence of 8 health-deteriorating events (cancer, myocardial infarction, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, dementia, congestive heart failure, and death).
RESULTS: High CRF and muscle strength were each associated with a 10% [hazard ratio (HR), 0.90; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.86-0.94] and 13% (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.84-0.91) reduction in the health span termination risk compared with their bottom tertile counterparts, after adjusting for confounders. Additive interaction was found between PhenoAgeAccel and both CRF (P = .042) and muscle strength (P = .005), with multiplicative interaction found only with muscle strength (P = .026), suggesting that the largest risk elevation occurred in those with low CRF/muscle strength. Joint analysis showed (1) heightened risk of health span termination associated with accelerated biological aging was partially attenuated by high CRF and muscle strength, and (2) accelerated biological aging exhibited the highest risk in individuals with low fitness.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Enhanced CRF and muscle strength could offset the risk of premature health span termination associated with accelerated biological aging. Our findings suggest that biological aging rates should be considered in personalized fitness interventions to optimize health span. Public health strategies should prioritize cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness to mitigate aging-related health risks.