PHYSICAL-FITNESS AND CARDIOVASCULAR-DISEASE RISK-FACTORS IN SENIOR MILITARY OFFICERS

Over a 5-year period (1986-1990), 1,223 male, senior military officers were tested to determine lipoprotein profiles, body composition (by d ensitometry), peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak by graded, treadmill w alking), and strength (one repetition maximum). Average (+/-SD) VO2 pe ak and body fat were 44.9 +/- 6.7 ml/kg x min and 24.4 +/- 5.1%, respe ctively. Although the average VO2 peak of these individuals is in the top 10-15% of this age group, nearly 39% are over-fat (by U.S. Army Re gulation 600-9). Mean (+/-SD) total cholesterol, high-density lipoprot eins, low-density lipoproteins, and triglycerides were 205 +/- 36, 50 +/- 12, 134 +/- 32, and 108 +/- 71 mg%, respectively. These results re flect an apparently healthy diet and lifestyle, which was strengthened , for the most part, when an average Framingham risk index (FRI) of ap proximately 2.3 was calculated. The low mean FRI for this group may po ssibly be attributed to lower total cholesterol and smoking rates than the average 45-year-old man in the Framingham study. The results of t he testing indicate that this group generally has a high aerobic capac ity, is normotensive, non-obese, and at low risk for the development o f cardiovascular disease.