HISTORICAL ACTIVITY RELATES TO CURRENT ACTIVITY, FITNESS AND BODY COMPOSITION IN WOMEN

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PURPOSE: This study examined current fitness and body composition in relation to self-reported historical activity in 153 women (20.1 ± 2.4 y) enrolled in our Dairy Calcium and Women's Health Study. METHODS: Lifetime activity was assessed by time periods, activity categories, and impact levels using an Historical Activity Questionnaire. Fitness parameters (3 min step test) included resting heart rate (RHR), post exercise heart rate (PHR), estimated VO2max (VO2) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Body composition (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) included body fat (percent, BFat% and kg, FatG), and lean tissue (kg, Lean). Waist and hip circumference ratio (WHR) was also assessed. Spearman rank-order correlations were calculated. Activity values were in MET-h/d unless otherwise specified. RESULTS: Historical activity time periods were related (p < 0.05) to above parameters as follows: Middle school activity with Lean (r = 0.24) and RPE (r = −0.27); high school activity with Bfat% (r = −0.17), Lean (r = 0.30), RHR (r = −0.19), and RPE (r = −0.45); and lifetime activity with Lean (r = 0.26) and RPE (r = −0.34). Historical activity categories were related as follows: Lifetime athletics with BFat% (r = −0.30), FatG (r = −0.21), Lean (r = 0.30), RHR (r = −0.25) and RPE (r = −0.41); lifetime leisure activity with RPE (r = −0.17); lifetime exercise with BFat% (r = −0.20), Lean (r = 0.18), and RPE (r = 0.34); and Lifetime Lift/Carry with WHR (r = 0.18) and RPE (r = −0.18). Regression models (p < 0.05) indicated the following for time periods: High school activity predicted Lean, RHR and RPE; elementary activity predicted WHR; and middle school activity predicted weight. For lifetime activity categories: Athletics predicted Bfat %, Lean, and RPE; exercise predicted RHR; occupation and exercise predicted PHR and VO2. Also, total past activity (h/d) predicted current activity. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that women who were active in childhood and adolescence remain active in early adulthood and thus may be predisposed to prolonged fitness and body composition benefits. Supported by Dairy Management, Inc.