[Relationships between maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and physical activity, blood pressure and serum lipids]

This study was conducted to investigate the relationships between maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and physical activity (occupational and leisure time), blood pressure, and serum lipids. The subjects of this study (n = 727) were those who participated in a "health check for 30-year-olds" in the city of Gifu, Japan, during the period from April 1991 to March 1993. Individuals with a medical history and/or undergoing treatment for coronary heart disease (CHD), other heart diseases, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, liver disease, or renal disease were excluded. Finally, 411 males (30 yrs of age) were considered for this study. VO2max was estimated according to the method of Astrand & Rhyming. The results can be summarized as follows: 1. Both occupational and leisure time physical activity were independently related to VO2max. In subjects with light and moderate occupational physical activity, VO2max was affected by leisure time physical activity rather than occupational physical activity, and in those with heavy occupational physical activity, it was affected by both occupational and leisure time physical activity. 2. According to the results of multiple regression analysis, VO2max adjusted for body mass index, smoking, and alcohol was associated significantly with systolic blood pressure (P < 0.0001), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) (P < 0.0001), triglyceride (P < 0.0001), and the (total cholesterol-HDLC)/HDLC ratio (P < 0.0001). From the results obtained it may be concluded that VO2max can be considered as a factor to decrease the risk of CHD.