Survival of the fittest? Peak oxygen uptake and all-cause mortality among older adults in Norway.

Objective: To determine the cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) levels needed to avoid the Grim Reaper (Death) among older adults. We hypothesized that an above average peak oxygen uptake (VO) is needed for 70-77-year-old men and women to delay the encounter with Death.

Design: Prospective cohort study.