The relationship between aerobic fitness and certain cardiovascular risk factors

Aerobic fitness and the incidence of risk factors related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) were compared for 2501 Canadian servicemen 18-50 years of age. Aerobic power (VO2max) was predicted from heart rate measured during submaximal bicycle exercise. The risk factors--serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides, blood pressure and body fat (sum of three skinfolds)--were measured; the incidence of cigarette smoking was obtained from a questionnaire. The total population tested was divided into three age groups which were subdivided into four fitness categories. An inverse relationship was demonstrated between fitness category and the mean values for all measured risk factors. Although this relationship was most evident in the older subjects, it is significant that it was also present in men under 30 years of age. A similar inverse relationship was demonstrated for all age groups between fitness category and the percent of subjects considered to have an elevated cholesterol, triglyceride, blood pressure, or skinfold thickness. The incidence of cigarette smoking was inversely related to fitness category only in those 30 years of age and over. Although this type of cross-sectional study does not establish cause and effect, there is evidence to suggest that participation in a program to improve physical fitness may lead the individual to modify other components of his lifestyle.