Association between Physical Fitness and Cardiovascular Risk in Young University Students: Systematic Review

Abstract

The aim of this systematic review was to analyse the association of physical fitness with risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in university students. Studies were collected from the following database: Medline, using the keywords: “Physical fitness” and “cardiovascular risk”, associated with keywords: “Students” and “university”. It was included epidemiological observational articles published between 2007 and 2017 written in English language. It was selected 4 quantitative cross-sectional studies, according to specific eligibility criteria, preferential Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol (PRISMA). The data extraction was done independently by different authors, including assessment of bias risk and classification of evidence rating. The results shown that university students have a sedentary behavior and low aerobic fitness, with high index of dyslipidaemia, central obesity, high blood pressure, therefore confirming many risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.