Physical Activity and Cardiorespiratory Fitness

Abstract

Physical inactive adults have higher incidence of cardiovascular and total mortality. Unfit subjects tend also to have higher mortality rates. The metabolic syndrome increases with age and tends to increase cardiovascular mortality. Higher levels of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness in children, adolescents, and adults improve metabolic syndrome features. Current physical activity guidelines for children, adolescents and adults lack evidence-based health-related criteria. There are biological, developmental, health and quality of life reasons for promoting physical activity in children and adolescents. However, the evidence base for these related criteria and the best means of promoting physical activity in children are scarce. Data from accelerometer studies suggest that the majority of children up to the mid-teens meet the recommended 60 minutes a day of moderate intensity physical activity. These studies have improved our capacity to measure several dimensions of physical activity. However, there remains some debate about the recommended levels of light, moderate and vigorous physical activity to improve energy balance, metabolic health, and prevent overweight and obesity. Data from the European Youth Heart Study with objectively measured physical activity (proportional actigraphy) suggest new recommendations based on metabolic health and the metabolic syndrome, i.e. the clustering metabolic cardiovascular risk factors such as elevated blood pressure, obesity, dyslipedemia, disturbed insulin and glucose metabolism.