IS PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY OR AEROBIC POWER MORE INFLUENTIAL ON REDUCING CARDIOVASCULAR-DISEASE RISK-FACTORS

Purpose: This study determined the relationship between aerobic power ((V) over dot O-2max), physical activity (PA), and cardiovascular dise ase (CVD) risk factors. The study also determined how increased (V) ov er dot O-2max and increased PA levels influence CVD risk factors of 57 6 low-fit adults ((V) over dot O-2max < 30 mL.kg(-1).min(-1)). Methods : PA (Baeke questionnaire) and (V) over dot O-2max (submaximal cycle t est) of 1664 law enforcement trainees were evaluated with respect to t he CVD risk factors of total cholesterol, blood pressure (BP) [BP], sm oking, and obesity using separate logistic regression, adjusting for a ge, gender, and the other major CVD risk factors. Results: Compared wi th the lowest tertile of (V) over dot O-2max, the highest tertile had a reduced relative risk (RR) for elevated cholesterol (RR, 0.56; CI, 0 .36-0.43), BP (RR, 0.32; CI, 0.15-0.62) and obesity (RR, 0.09; CI, 0.0 6-0.12). The middle tertile of (V) over dot O-2max compared with the l owest had reduced RR for elevated diastolic BP (RR, 0.44; CI, 0.23-0.6 6) and obesity (RR: 0.38; CI 0.28-0.50). High PA tertile, compared wit h low PA tertile, only had lower RR for high systolic BP (RR, 0.48; CI . 0.23-0.95). Compared with the low PA tertile, moderate or high PA ha d no reduction in any of the RR (P > 0.05). Participation in a 9-wk ex ercise program by low-fit individuals resulted in a 9% increase in PA levels (P < 0.02); however, only those subjects who increased (V) over dot O-2max (>3 mL.kg(-1).min(-1); N = 345) had a reduction in RR for high cholesterol (RR: 0.62; CI 0.42-0.92) and systolic BP (RR: 0.57; C I 0.40-0.80). No reduction in RR were noted for diastolic BP or obesit y. Conclusions: Aerobic power appears to have more of an influence on CVD risk factors than PA levels. Further, in low-fit persons, it appea rs that PA resulting in an increased aerobic power is associated with a reduction in CVD risk factors of cholesterol and BP in as little as 9 wk.