PHYSICAL-FITNESS, LIPIDS, AND APOLIPOPROTEINS IN THE NORTHERN-IRELANDHEALTH AND ACTIVITY SURVEY

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship betwee n physical fitness, lipids, and apolipoproteins in a cross-sectional s tudy using a two-stage probability sample of the population of Norther n Ireland. The main outcome measures were physical fitness using VO2ma x estimated by extrapolation from submaximal oxygen uptake while walki ng on a motor driven treadmill, and total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol , LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL2 and HDL3, and Lp(a). There were no significant relationships with fitness, after adjustment for possi ble confounders, with the exception of a positive relationship with HD L2 in males (P less than or equal to 0.01) and Lp(a) in females (P les s than or equal to 0.05). There was also a relationship between physic al fitness and HDL:apo AI ratio in males and females after adjustment for possible confounders (P less than or equal to 0.05). We concluded that there were few relationships between lipid parameters and physica l fitness after adjustment for possible confounders. The relationship between physical fitness and Lp(a) in females suggests a benefit assoc iated with physical fitness and the relationship between physical fitn ess and HDL:apo AI ratio was in keeping with improved HDL cholesterol transport.