Scientists Introduce 'Peakspan,' a New Metric for Healthy Aging

The concept of peakspan focuses on maintaining peak health for as long as possible.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 5:07am

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A translucent X-ray image of a human heart, glowing with vibrant energy and vitality, surrounded by a dark, shadowy background that emphasizes its internal structure.A new scientific concept called 'peakspan' aims to measure how long people can maintain optimal health and physical performance.Irvine Today

Researchers have introduced a new metric called 'peakspan' that refers to the length of time someone can maintain or stay near their peak health. Unlike lifespan or healthspan, peakspan is specific to individual organ systems and physical functions. While there's no single way to extend peakspan, experts say focusing on healthy lifestyle habits and having a positive mindset about aging are key.

Why it matters

The concept of peakspan provides a new framework for thinking about healthy aging beyond just lifespan or disease-free years. By understanding how long people can stay at their physical and cognitive peak, researchers and individuals can better target interventions to extend the time spent in optimal health.

The details

Peakspan is defined as the length of time someone maintains 90% or more of their maximum performance in a specific physical or cognitive domain. This differs from healthspan, which is typically defined as the years lived free of major disease. Peakspan can vary by organ system, so someone's cardiovascular peakspan may be different from their cognitive peakspan. While physical function tends to peak in the 20s or 30s, the researchers note that some people may reach their peak later in life through lifestyle changes. Extending peakspan is not necessarily about high-tech medical interventions, but rather focusing on basics like staying active, eating a balanced diet, and maintaining a positive outlook on aging.

  • The concept of 'peakspan' was introduced in a recent paper published in the journal Aging & Disease in 2026.

The players

Alex Zhavoronkov

An author of the paper introducing the concept of peakspan and the founder of the biotech company Insilico Medicine.

Mahtab Jafari

The director of the University of California Irvine Center for Healthspan Sciences.

Jay Luthar

A Boston-based integrative primary care physician.

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What they’re saying

“We usually stay just a few years at our peak.”

— Alex Zhavoronkov, Author and Founder of Insilico Medicine

“Healthspan could be defined as the period of time that you remain healthy, and being healthy is more than just free of disease.”

— Jay Luthar, Integrative Primary Care Physician

“It's never too early to start and it's never too late to start focusing on healthspan.”

— Mahtab Jafari, Director, UC Irvine Center for Healthspan Sciences

What’s next

Researchers plan to continue studying peakspan and how lifestyle factors and interventions can help extend the time spent at peak health. Future studies may explore peakspan in specific organ systems or populations.

The takeaway

The concept of peakspan provides a new framework for thinking about healthy aging that goes beyond just lifespan or disease-free years. While there's no single solution to extend peakspan, a focus on healthy habits and a positive mindset can help people maintain their physical and cognitive peak for as long as possible.