Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports
Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports
5 years ago

Cardiorespiratory fitness not sedentary time or physical activity is associated with cardiometabolic risk in active older adults

Norman R Lazarus, Stephen D R Harridge, Niharika A Duggal, Ross D Pollock, Janet M Lord
Sedentary time (ST) and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) are associated with cardiometabolic health. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is also implicated but often overlooked in health recommendations. This study assessed the relationships between ST, MVPA, CRF and cardiometabolic health in highly active older individuals. 125 healthy amateur cyclists aged 55 to 79 years had their ST and MVPA levels assessed by actigraphy over a 7 day period. CRF was assessed using a maximal effort cycle ergometry test to determine VO2max with results normalised to both body mass and fat free mass measured by DXA. Markers of cardiometabolic risk (blood glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, Insulin, HOMA IR, blood pressure and body fat) were assessed and used to determine cumulative cardiometabolic risk. Multiple linear regression was used to assess ST, MVPA and CRF associations with cardiometabolic health with the relationship between activity levels and CRF determined. CRF was associated with training volume (P = 0.003), but not ST or MVPA. A high CRF was associated with lower cumulative cardiometabolic risk, body fat percentage, triglyceride and HDL levels (P < 0.05 in all cases). MVPA was negatively associated with body fat percentage while ST was not associated with any marker of cardiometabolic risk when adjusting for activity levels. An association between CRF and cardiometabolic risk even in a group of older individuals with high fitness levels highlights the importance that CRF may have in maintaining health. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Publisher URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/resolve/doi

DOI: 10.1111/sms.13071

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