Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Physical Activity Levels and Sedentary Behaviour in College Students

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Moderate or high levels of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality in men and women. Prolonged sedentary time (ST) is independently associated with deleterious health outcomes and all-cause mortality. In contrast, light, moderate and vigorous, as well as combined moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is associated with reduced incidence of major chronic diseases and CVD. PURPOSE: To compare CRF, selected CVD risk factors, sedentary behaviour and physical activity levels between male and female college students, and to examine the relation between CRF and sedentary behaviour and physical activity levels. METHODS: Fifty six third level students (mean ± SD; age = 22.93 ± 5.9 years, 62.5% male) participated in this study. Body mass index (BMI), percent body fat, blood pressure, and estimated maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) were assessed. Body fat was assessed using skinfold callipers, blood pressure following 5 minutes of rest, and VO2max was estimated from a 20m shuttle run test. Accelerometers were used to assess sedentary behaviour and physical activity levels over a 9 day period. RESULTS: Waist circumference (p<0.001),weight (p<0.05), systolic blood pressure (p<0.001)and VO2max (p<.001) were significantly higher and percent body fat (p<0.05) was significantly lower in males than females. There was no significant difference in sedentary behaviour or minutes of daily light, moderate, or vigorous physical activity or MVPA between males and females. There was a significant relation between VO2max and minutes of daily moderate (p=0.05; r=0.32), vigorous (p=0.05; r=0.32)physical activity and MVPA (p=0.019; r=0.39). CONCLUSIONS: Males had significantly greater waist circumference, weight, systolic blood pressure, and VO2max and significantly lower percent body fat than females. There was no difference in sedentary behaviour or minutes of daily light, moderate, or vigorous physical activity or MVPA between males and females. VO2max accounted for only 11-14% of the variability in moderate-to-vigorous activity levels.