Maintaining physical fitness is important for overall health and well-being. Physical fitness has been linked to lower risk of chronic diseases, improved mental health, and increased longevity. The Fitness Age Calculator is a tool that estimates your fitness age, a measure of your physical fitness relative to others in your age and gender group. This article provides an overview of the Fitness Age Calculator.

Our Fitness Age Calculator is a fun way of monitoring your progress as you strive to become healthier. It uses a formula that incorporates age, gender and resting heart rate to estimate your “fitness age”. 

To use the Fitness Age Calculator, simply input your age, gender and resting heart rate into the online calculator. The calculator will provide an estimate of your fitness age compared to others in your age and gender group.

These are the formulas used in the calculation of your fitness age.

MaxHR= 208 – (0.7 x age)

This equation, known as the “Karvonen formula” or “Karvonen method” and was first introduced by Finnish cardiologist Dr. Martti Karvonen in 1957. It is often used in exercise physiology to estimate the target heart rate range for cardiovascular exercise, as well as to determine the intensity of training needed to achieve a specific fitness goal. Your actual maximum heart rate can vary based on genetics, fitness level, and other factors.

VO2 max = 15.3 x (MaxHR / RestingHR)

This equation is used to estimate an individual’s maximal oxygen uptake or VO2 max. It is based on the relationship between heart rate and oxygen consumption during exercise.

VO2 max is a measure of an individual’s cardiovascular fitness and represents the maximum amount of oxygen that the body can utilize during exercise. It is often used by athletes, coaches, and healthcare professionals to assess cardiovascular fitness and to develop personalised exercise programmes.

The equation does not have a specific name, but it is based on the Fick equation, which states that oxygen uptake by the body during exercise is equal to the product of cardiac output (heart rate x stroke volume) and the difference in oxygen concentration between arterial and venous blood.

It is important to note that while this equation provides a good estimate of VO2 max, the actual value can vary based on factors such as age, gender, genetics, and fitness level.

VO2max average:
Male:
Age 20-29= 47
Age 30-39= 43
Age 40-49= 41
Age 50-59= 38
Age 60-69= 34
Age 70-79= 30
Female:
Age 20-29= 41
Age 30-39= 37
Age 40-49= 35
Age 50-59= 33
Age 60-69= 29
Age 70-79= 26

These VO2max average values are typically referenced to normative data or population-based studies that provide reference values for fitness parameters such as VO2max. There are several studies that have provided VO2max reference values for different populations based on age, gender, and fitness level.

One of the most commonly used VO2max reference data sets is the Cooper Institute Normative Study, which is based on a large sample of adults who underwent exercise testing to assess their fitness levels.

Another source of VO2max reference values is the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, which provides tables with normative data for different age and gender groups.

It’s worth noting that VO2max values can vary based on several factors, including genetics, training status, and altitude, among others. Therefore, these reference values should be used as a general guide and not as a definitive measure of an individual’s fitness level.

Fitness Age = Chronological Age – 0.2*(VO2max – VO2max average)

This equation is a simple formula that estimates an individual’s “fitness age” based on their VO2max and age, compared to the average VO2max values for their age and gender group.

The Fitness Age equation was developed by researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and was first published in the journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise in 2013. The researchers used data from over 4,600 individuals who underwent VO2max testing to develop the equation and validate its accuracy.

The idea behind the Fitness Age equation is to provide individuals with an estimate of their fitness level that is easier to understand and more meaningful than VO2max values alone. By comparing your Fitness Age to your Chronological Age, you can see how your fitness level compares to others your age, and use this information as motivation to improve your fitness level.

Overall, the Fitness Age equation is a simple and effective tool for estimating your fitness level and providing you with valuable information for improving your health and well-being.