Relationships between maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O(2max)) and physical activity, blood pressure and serum lipids

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the relationships between maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O(2max)) and physical activity (occupational and leisuretime), 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. V̇O(2max) was estimated according to the method of Astrand and Rhyming. The results can be summarized as follows: 1. Both occupational and leisuretime physical activity were independently related to V̇O(2max). In subjects with light and moderate occupational physical activity, V̇O(2max) was affected by leisuretime physical activity rather than occupational physical activity, and in those with heavy occupational physical activity, it was affected by both occupational and leisuretime physical activity. 2. According to the results of multiple regression analysis, V̇O(2max) adjusted for body mass index, smoking, and alcohol was associated significantly with systolic blood pressure (P < 0.0001), high density lipoprotein choresterol (HDLC) (P < 0.0001), triglyceride (P < 0.0001), and the (total choresterol-HDLC)/HDLC ratio (P < 0.0001). From the results obtained it may be concluded that V̇O(2max) can be considered as a factor to decrease the risk of CHD.