Thanks for this great piece, Brooks. The charts showing lower disease prevalence with higher fitness is especially compelling. At the Whoop Unlocked event, they mentioned Afib being slightly more common in older endurance athletes — are there other conditions where higher fitness might carry increased risk?
Without knowing the study they referenced I wonder if they are referring to the top .5% or even smaller. What this study demonstrates that the top 2% compared to all other fitness categories have lower rates of a fib. Sudden cardiac death commonly occurs in young athletes though it is an extremely rare occurrence.
Depending on the sport, there may be higher rates of certain muscular skeletal injuries that statistically are associated with higher fitness level, but in the long run, the rates of injury are significantly lower and people with higher fitness, especially those as a consequence of fall risk
Thanks for the thoughtful reply, Brooks. WHOOP may have been referencing this review (PMC6209018), which discusses a U-shaped relationship between exercise and AFib. It’s a nuanced point, but helpful context when thinking about fitness extremes
Great article! Because VO₂max and muscular strength are both strong predictors of health and mortality, I wonder if the two could be tested, simultaneously (and accurately), using a single approach?
Really well-written. Came to know a lot about the topic. Thanks for sharing the image of the mitochondria as well. Cheers..
Thanks for this great piece, Brooks. The charts showing lower disease prevalence with higher fitness is especially compelling. At the Whoop Unlocked event, they mentioned Afib being slightly more common in older endurance athletes — are there other conditions where higher fitness might carry increased risk?
Without knowing the study they referenced I wonder if they are referring to the top .5% or even smaller. What this study demonstrates that the top 2% compared to all other fitness categories have lower rates of a fib. Sudden cardiac death commonly occurs in young athletes though it is an extremely rare occurrence.
Depending on the sport, there may be higher rates of certain muscular skeletal injuries that statistically are associated with higher fitness level, but in the long run, the rates of injury are significantly lower and people with higher fitness, especially those as a consequence of fall risk
Thanks for the thoughtful reply, Brooks. WHOOP may have been referencing this review (PMC6209018), which discusses a U-shaped relationship between exercise and AFib. It’s a nuanced point, but helpful context when thinking about fitness extremes
Great article! Because VO₂max and muscular strength are both strong predictors of health and mortality, I wonder if the two could be tested, simultaneously (and accurately), using a single approach?
No doubt is the combination of strength and aerobic capacity the holy Grail.
We may have to get back into the lab to test that one out 😉 let’s see if JC still has space.