Abstract
BackgroundThe individual physical activity level is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and death, as well as a possible target for improving health outcome. However, today´s widely adopted risk score charts, typically do not include the level of physical activity. There is a need for a simple risk assessment tool, which includes a reliable assessment of the level of physical activity. The aim of this study was therefore, to analyse the association between the self-reported levels of physical activity, according to the Saltin-Grimby Physical Activity Level Scale (SGPALS) question, and cardiovascular risk factors, specifically focusing on the group of individuals with the lowest level of self-reported PA.MethodsWe used cross sectional data from the Intergene study, a random sample of inhabitants from the western part of Sweden, totalling 3588 (1685 men and 1903 women, mean age 52 and 51). Metabolic measurements, including serum-cholesterol, serum-triglycerides, fasting plasma-glucose, waist circumference, blood pressure and resting heart rate, as well as smoking and self-reported stress were related to the self-reported physical activity level, according to the modernized version of the SGPALS 4-level scale.ResultsThere was a strong negative association between the self-reported physical activity level, and smoking, weight, waist circumference, resting heart rate, as well as to the levels of fasting plasma-glucose, serum-triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and self-reported stress and a positive association with the levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL). The individuals reporting the lowest level of PA (SGPALS, level 1) had the highest odds-ratios (OR) for having pre-defined levels of abnormal risk factors, such as being overweight (men OR 2.19, 95% CI: 1.51-3.19; women OR 2.57, 95 % CI: 1.78-3.73), having an increased waist circumference (men OR 3.76, 95 % CI: 2.61-5.43; women OR 2.91, 95% CI: 1.94-4.35) and for reporting stress (men OR 3.59, 95 % CI: 2.34-5.49; women OR 1.25, 95% CI: 0.79-1.98), compared to the most active individuals, but also showed increased OR for most other risk factors analyzed above.ConclusionThe self-reported PA-level according to the modernized Saltin-Grimby Physical Activity Level Scale, SGPALS, is associated with the presence of many cardiovascular risk factors, with the most inactive individuals having the highest risk factor profile, including self-reported stress. We propose that the present SGPALS may be used as an additional, simple tool in a routine risk assessment in e.g. primary care, to identify inactive individuals, with a higher risk profile.
Highlights
The individual physical activity level is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and death, as well as a possible target for improving health outcome
Both cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), defined as the maximum oxygen uptake on treadmill or by bicycle ergometer [1], and the level of physical activity have been found to be independently associated with cardiovascular risk factors, such as blood lipids, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure and insulin resistance [6,7], as well as predicting morbidity and mortality [8,9]
Relationship between level of Physical activity (PA) and cardiovascular risk factors There were higher prevalence of elevated risk factors among those reporting inactive behaviour for both sexes (Table 2), i.e. lower prevalence of risk factors was seen parallel to an increased self-reported PA level
Summary
The individual physical activity level is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and death, as well as a possible target for improving health outcome. The recommended level of medium intensity aerobic activity being 150 minutes/ week, only half of the adult population in the USA reach this level of PA according to self-reported data [4], while the Eurobarometer study estimated that only 23 % of the Swedish population were sufficiently physically active [5] Both cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), defined as the maximum oxygen uptake on treadmill or by bicycle ergometer [1], and the level of physical activity have been found to be independently associated with cardiovascular risk factors, such as blood lipids, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure and insulin resistance [6,7], as well as predicting morbidity and mortality [8,9]. In addition to the direct effects on the cardiovascular system, physical inactivity increases future risk of developing mental disorders and stress [11]
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