OCCUPATIONAL FITNESS AND THE RISK OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AMONG UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEES

Abstract

1781 The purpose of this investigation was to identify the level of fitness and cardiovascular risk among university employees and compare their scores with standardized norms based on age and gender. Furthermore, the study sought to compare the health and fitness status of university employees with other occupations in attempt to identify those occupations which appear to be at greater risk or greater benefit from a health perspective. Thirteen male and eighteen female volunteers between the ages of 25 and 63 participated in a health and fitness appraisal at Mankato State University (MSU). The appraisal consisted of a medical health history questionnaire, screening of blood pressure and cholesterol profiles, and fitness testing which measured body composition (3-site skinfold), cardiorespiratory endurance (3-minute step test), flexibility (sit and reach), strength (hand dynamometer), and muscular endurance (1-minute sit up). Mean and standard deviation values for males and females were compared with age and gender specific standardized norms for each of the health and fitness variables. Within the limitations of this study, findings indicated that university employees have an “average” fitness level. Furthermore, results showed that the risk factor profile for cardiovascular disease as it relates to cholesterol and blood pressure were similar to the average population in comparable studies. Based on the findings of this study, university employees appear to be no fitter, or at no greater risk of cardiovascular disease than the reference population in other occupations such as fire fighters and law enforcement officers.