Physical activity, physical fitness and coronary disease

The relationship between physical activity on and off the job, physical fitness and coronary artery disease was investigated in a prospective study involving 2 363 men, 40 to 55 years old. Sudden death and myocardial infarction occurred in 31 subjects during a 5-year follow-up. Preliminary data are reported. There was no significant correlation between quartiles of physical activity on and off the job and incidence of coronary events. Physical fitness was significantly inversely correlated with incidence of coronary events (p less than 0.05) and was significantly lower in the 31 new cases (p less than 0.03). Multivariate analysis showed that HDL-cholesterol, smoking and physical fitness significantly and independently discriminate between coronary prone patients and healthy subjects. We conclude that physical fitness is an independent, inverse risk indicator of new coronary events.     

Physical fitness and blood pressure: the role of age

Most epidemiologic studies have shown an inverse relationship between resting blood pressure and usual levels of physical fitness or activity. The inference is that fitness lowers blood pressure. However, maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max--a widely accepted measure of fitness) and blood pressure are both correlated with age; young people usually have lower pressures and higher VO2max (ml X kg-1 X min-1). Systolic and diastolic pressures were measured and maximal oxygen uptake was estimated in 184 men and 227 women aged 18-65 years who were randomly selected as part of a cardiovascular risk factor survey conducted in two New England cities between April 1981 and March 1982. Initially, both measures of blood pressure were strongly and inversely correlated with estimated maximal oxygen uptake. However, when the effects of age were partialed out, the strength of the correlations decreased sharply for both males and females. The proportion of the variance in systolic pressure explained by maximal oxygen uptake decreased from 9.6 to 0.8% for males and 21.2 to 2.3% for females. Similar decreases were demonstrated for diastolic pressure in males (14.4 to 2.9%) and females (20.3 to 2.3%). These data indicate that the frequently observed relationship between fitness and blood pressure is strongly influenced by age. Future research to specifically examine the effects of physical activity and of physical fitness on blood pressure is needed.     

Nutrition, physical activity, and blood pressure in the elderly

Forty noninstitutionalized elderly subjects, ages 65-86 years, were recruited for a study to determine relationships between nutritional status, physical activity, and blood pressure. A 24-hour recall of dietary intake and activities, health history, skinfolds, circumferences, height, weight, and blood pressure were obtained. Obesity was associated with hypertension in this group of elderly subjects. Truncal skinfolds (abdomen and subscapula) were positively correlated (P less than .05) with systolic blood pressure while body mass index, dietary magnesium and dietary calcium to magnesium ratio were directly related (P less than .05) to diastolic blood pressure. Physical activity and energy expenditure were not correlated (P greater than .05) with blood pressure in this study; however, the level of activity did not include strenuous exercise.     

The association between physical activity,cardiorespiratory fitness and self-rated health

Objective

To investigate the joint association between self-reported physical activity as well as cardiorespiratory fitness and self-rated health among healthy women and men.

Method

Data from 10,416 participants in The Danish Health Examination Survey 2007–2008 which took part in 13 Danish municipalities were analyzed. Leisure time physical activity level and self-rated health were based on self-reported questionnaire data. Optimal self-rated health was defined as “very good” or “good” self-rated health. Cardiorespiratory fitness (mL O₂·min^− 1·kg^− 1) was estimated from maximal power output in a maximal cycle exercise test.

Results

A strong dose–response relation between cardiorespiratory fitness and self-rated health as well as between physical activity level and self-rated health among both women and men was found. Within categories of physical activity, odds ratios for optimal self-rated health increased with increasing categories of cardiorespiratory fitness, and vice versa. Hence, participants who were moderately/vigorously physically active and had a high cardiorespiratory fitness had the highest odds ratio for optimal self-rated health compared with sedentary participants with low cardiorespiratory fitness (odds ratio = 12.2, 95% confidence interval: 9.3–16.1).

Conclusion

Although reluctant to conclude on causality, this study suggests that an active lifestyle as well as good cardiorespiratory fitness probably increase self-rated health.     

Physical fitness and physical activity in obese and nonobese Flemish youth

OBJECTIVE: To assess different aspects of physical fitness and physical activity in obese and nonobese Flemish youth. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A random sample of 3214 Flemish schoolchildren was selected and divided into an "obese" and "nonobese" group based on body mass index and sum of skinfolds. Physical fitness was assessed by the European physical fitness test battery. Physical activity was estimated by a modified version of the Baecke Questionnaire. RESULTS: Obese subjects had inferior performances on all tests requiring propulsion or lifting of the body mass (standing-broad jump, sit-ups, bent-arm hang, speed shuttle run, and endurance shuttle run) compared with their nonobese counterparts (p < 0.001). In contrast, the obese subjects showed greater strength on handgrip (p < 0.001). Both groups had similar levels of leisure-time physical activity; however, nonobese boys had a higher sport index than their obese counterparts (p < 0.05). DISCUSSION: Results of this study show that obese subjects had poorer performances on weight-bearing tasks, but did not have lower scores on all fitness components. To encourage adherence to physical activity in obese youth, it is important that activities are tailored to their capabilities. Results suggest that weight-bearing activities should be limited at the start of an intervention with obese participants and alternative activities that rely more on static strength used.     

Relationships between blood pressure and measures of dietary energy intake, physical fitness, and physical activity in Australian children aged 11-12 years.

STUDY OBJECTIVE--The aim was to examine associations between blood pressure and dietary energy intake, physical activity, and physical fitness in Australian children. DESIGN--The study was a survey of year 7 children attending schools in metropolitan Perth. SETTING--Survey schools were located in suburbs representative of the range of socioeconomic strata in metropolitan Perth. PARTICIPANTS--Data were obtained on 1311 out of 2045 eligible children (64%). The sample included 681 boys and 630 girls. Mean age was 12.0 (SD 0.4) years. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS--Triplicate blood pressure measurements were obtained using a Dinamap oscillometric recorder. Dietary energy intakes were computed from two week day 24 h records. Physical activity was assessed using questionnaires. Physical fitness was measured using a shuttle run test. Additional measurements included weight, height, and skinfold thickness at four sites. A previous observation of an inverse relationship between diastolic blood pressure and dietary energy intake in boys was confirmed. There was evidence of an inverse relationship in girls but not in boys between blood pressure and physical activity. There was little evidence of relationships between blood pressure and physical fitness. CONCLUSIONS--Compared with weight and body mass index, dietary energy intake and the chosen measures of physical activity and physical fitness are poor predictors of blood pressure in the population studied.     

Tracking of physical activity,fitness, body composition and diet from adolescence to young adulthood: The Young Hearts Project,Northern Ireland

BACKGROUND: The assumption that lifestyles formed early in life track into adulthood has been used to justify the targeting of health promotion programmes towards children and adolescents. The aim of the current study was to use data from the Northern Ireland Young Hearts Project to ascertain the extent of tracking, between adolescence and young adulthood, of physical activity, aerobic fitness, selected anthropometric variables, and diet. METHODS: Males (n 245) and females (n 231) were assessed at age 15 y, and again in young adulthood [mean (SD) age 22 (1.6) y]. At both timepoints, height, weight and skinfold thicknesses were measured, and physical activity and diet were assessed by questionnaire and diet history method respectively. At 15y, fitness was assessed using the 20 metre shuttle run, while at young adulthood, the PWC170 cycle ergometer test was used. For each measurement made at 15y, subjects were ranked into 'low' (L1; lowest 25%), 'medium' (M1; middle 50%) or 'high' (H1; highest 25%) categories. At young adulthood, similar categories (L2, M2, H2) were created. The extent of tracking of each variable over time was calculated using 3 x 3 matrices constructed using these two sets of categories, and summarised using kappa (kappa) statistics. RESULTS: Tracking of diet and fitness was poor (kappa 相似文献   

Physical activity and exercise to achieve health-related physical fitness components

To improve health and fitness effectively through physical activity or exercise, we need to understand how this comes about. For many of these changes, the stimulus has been grossly defined in terms of type, intensity, duration, and frequency of exercise, but for others a dose-response relationship has not been determined. Physical activity that appears to provide the most diverse health benefits consists of dynamic, rhythmical contractions of large muscles that transport the body over distance or against gravity at a moderate intensity relative to capacity for extended periods of time during which 200 to 400 kilocalories (or 4 kilocalories per kilogram of body weight) are expended. For optimal health benefits, such activity should be performed daily or at least every other day and should be supplemented with some heavy resistance and flexibility exercises. The greatest benefits are achieved when the least active individuals become moderately active; much less benefit is apparent when the already active individual becomes extremely active. Overexertion or inappropriate exercise can produce significant health risks. Research is needed to characterize better the health-promoting features of physical activity and exercise.     

纳西族中小学生体质健康状况及其与体育锻炼行为的关系

了解纳西族中小学生体质健康现状及其与体育锻炼行为的关系,为更好地开展青少年体质健康提供参考.方法 对云南丽江市2 636名纳西族中小学生进行体质测查,参照《国家学生体质健康标准》评价学生的体质水平,并分析纳西族中小学生体质与体育锻炼行为的关系.结果 7~18岁纳西族学生体质优秀率为3.1%,良好率为17.5%,及格率为65.6%,不及格率为13.9%.男、女生体质得分随学段升高均呈下降趋势(F值分别为28.133,11.727,P值均<0.01).男生(71.44±11.22)体质得分高于女生(70.48±10.29),差异有统计学意义(t=2.268,P<0.05).不同年校运会次数、每周体育课节数、体育课喜好、长跑意愿和每天体育锻炼时间学生体质得分差异均有统计学意义(F值分别为8.090,13.328,4.289,10.236,4.421,P值均<0.01).结论 纳西族中小学生体质现状喜忧参半.建议纳西族学生体质促进应注重学段和性别差异,确保体育活动时间,引导学生树立积极的体育锻炼态度.     

Physical activity and physical fitness: standardizing assessment with the PhenX Toolkit

The focus of the PhenX (Phenotypes and eXposures) Toolkit is to provide researchers whose expertise lies outside a particular area with key measures identified by experts for uniform use in large-scale genetic studies and other extensive epidemiologic efforts going forward. The current paper specifically addresses the PhenX Toolkit research domain of physical activity and physical fitness (PA/PF), which are often associated with health outcomes. A Working Group (WG) of content experts completed a 6-month consensus process in which they identified a set of 14 high-priority, low-burden, and scientifically supported measures. During this process, the WG considered self-reported and objective measures that included the latest technology (e.g., accelerometers, pedometers, and heart-rate monitors). They also sought the input of measurement experts and other members of the research community during their deliberations. A majority of the measures include protocols for children (or adolescents), adults, and older adults or are applicable to all ages. Measures from the PA/PF domain and 20 other domains are publicly available and found at the PhenX Toolkit website, www.phenxtoolkit.org. The use of common measures and protocols across large studies enhances the capacity to combine or compare data across studies, benefiting both PA/PF experts and non-experts. Use of these common measures by the research community should increase statistical power and enhance the ability to answer scientific questions that previously might have gone unanswered.     

Physical activity, exercise, and physical fitness: definitions and distinctions for health-related research

"Physical activity," "exercise," and "physical fitness" are terms that describe different concepts. However, they are often confused with one another, and the terms are sometimes used interchangeably. This paper proposes definitions to distinguish them. Physical activity is defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that results in energy expenditure. The energy expenditure can be measured in kilocalories. Physical activity in daily life can be categorized into occupational, sports, conditioning, household, or other activities. Exercise is a subset of physical activity that is planned, structured, and repetitive and has as a final or an intermediate objective the improvement or maintenance of physical fitness. Physical fitness is a set of attributes that are either health- or skill-related. The degree to which people have these attributes can be measured with specific tests. These definitions are offered as an interpretational framework for comparing studies that relate physical activity, exercise, and physical fitness to health.     

Physical activity patterns in 50-59 year men in France and Northern Ireland. Associations with socio-economic status and health behaviour

Background: This study aimed to compare physical activity patterns and their associations with socio-economic status (SES) and health behaviour in two countries at contrasting risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods: This paper is a cross-sectional analysis of 7359 French and 2398 Northern Irish 50–59 year men of the PRIME cohort. Net energy expenditure due to physical activity (PAE) was assessed by means of the MOSPA-Q taking high-intensity recreational activities into account. SES was evaluated by educational attainment and material conditions. Different behavioural factors (smoking, alcohol intake and healthy eating patterns) were considered. Results: The prevalence of walking or cycling to work was greater in Northern Ireland (p < 10^–5) whereas leisure PAE (p < 10^–5) and high-intensity leisure-time activity (p < 10^–5) were higher in France. Education was positively associated with leisure-time PAE in Northern Ireland but negatively in France. However education in both countries and material conditions in France were favourably associated with the regular practice of high-intensity recreational activities. Alcohol consumption was positively associated with leisure PAE in France only (p < 10^–3). A weak negative association was also observed between smoking and leisure-time activities while healthy eating patterns were associated with greater physical activity in both countries. Conclusions: Physical activity patterns and their relationships with SES and alcohol consumption differ in France and in Northern Ireland. Our results underline the need to focus on low socio-economic groups for health promotion but, also, to adapt strategies to promote physical activity according to cultural differences between countries. Our results also show that healthy behaviours tend to cluster in middle-aged men.     

Health and fitness series--1. The importance of physical activity for health

Physical inactivity is recognised as a significant, common and preventable risk factor for heart disease, obesity, type II diabetes and osteoporosis. Regular physical activity helps avoid weight gain and plays a part in increasing wellbeing by reducing stress, anxiety and feelings of depression. The author outlines some of the specific health effects of exercise and explains the significance of diet, especially carbohydrates. The article includes some practical health education tips.     

Rural-urban differences in physical activity, physical fitness, and overweight prevalence of children.

CONTEXT: The increasing prevalence of overweight in youth has been well chronicled, but less is known about the unique patterns and risks that may exist in rural and urban environments. A better understanding of possible rural-urban differences in physical activity profiles may facilitate the development of more targeted physical activity interventions. METHODS: Participants (1,687 boys; 1,729 girls) were recruited from fourth, fifth, and sixth grade classes in schools from urban areas, small cities, and rural areas. Multilevel modeling analysis was used to examine rural-urban differences in physical activity and prevalence of overweight. Physical activity was assessed by self-report and body mass index was calculated from measured height and weight. FINDINGS: Prevalence of overweight was higher among rural children (25%; P<.001) than children from urban areas (19%) and small cities (17%). Urban children were the least active overall (Cohens' d=-0.4), particularly around lunchtime while at school (d=-0.9 to -1.1). Children from small cities reported the highest levels of physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest there are rural-urban differences in children's prevalence of overweight and physical activity even within a fairly homogenous Midwestern state.     

The association between high blood pressure,physical fitness,and body mass index in adolescents

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze the association of fitness and fatness with blood pressure (BP) and hypertension.This was a cross-sectional study of 13,557 boys and girls 15-20 years of age. Fitness was estimated from a shuttle run test, fatness from body mass index (BMI), and BP was measured sitting after 5 min of rest. Other lifestyle variables were self-reported. RESULTS: Boys had a higher systolic BP (SBP) than girls. A low physical fitness level and high BMI were independently associated with a high BP and risk of having hypertension in both girls and boys. Interaction was found between BMI and fitness. In a stratified analysis an odds ratio (OR) of 3.99 was found for hypertension in girls with a BMI > 25 kg m(-2) compared to lean girls if all had a low fitness level, and an OR of 2.14 for a high BMI in girls with a high fitness level. In boys, OR for high versus low BMI were 3.23 in the low fit and 2.34 and 2.50 in the middle and upper tertile of fitness, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Fitness and BMI were independently associated to BP. BMI was a stronger predictor of hypertension in those with a low fitness level, especially in girls.     

A mail survey of physical activity habits as related to measured physical fitness

The associations of self-reported measures of physical activity from a mail survey with an objective measure of physical fitness were investigated. Respondents to a health status survey (n = 12,225), conducted in 1982 by the Institute for Aerobics Research in Dallas, TX, formed the population. From this group, males who also had a clinical examination within 60 days of the return of their questionnaire served as subjects. The study subjects (n = 375, mean age = 47.1 years) completed a maximal physical fitness assessment using a modified Balke protocol. The questionnaire included a section of inquiries concerning leisure time physical activity participation in which subjects were asked to quantitatively recall exercise participation for varying periods of time. Reported exercise participation values were converted to estimates of energy expenditure and combined into overall indices of physical activity participation. Multiple regression analyses were used to determine the individual contributions of the physical activity indices in predicting maximal treadmill performance (physical fitness). Significant predictors of physical fitness were age (beta = -0.34), an index of running, walking, and jogging participation (beta = 0.31), and the response to a question on frequency of sweating (beta = 0.35). The multiple correlation coefficient for these variables in predicting physical fitness was 0.65. These results indicate that exercise behavior can be accurately estimated in large populations by using simple questions in a mail survey.