Trends in aerobic fitness among Canadians, 1981 to 2007–2009

2012 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 511-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cora L. Craig ◽  
Margot Shields ◽  
Allana G. Leblanc ◽  
Mark S. Tremblay

Public health surveillance systems often monitor physical activity trends, but fitness assessment is relatively rare. This study investigated secular changes in aerobic fitness among Canadian adults and children. Participants aged 8–69 years were from 2 nationally representative surveys, conducted in-home in 1981 and in mobile examination centers in 2007–2009. In both surveys, submaximal step tests using progressive age- and sex-specific exercise stages were completed after initial screening (Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire, heart rate, blood pressure). Between surveys, the step-test protocol had been modified to reduce underestimation of fitness among fitter and older individuals. Maximal oxygen uptake was estimated for adults using validated historical and updated prediction equations, adjusted to reflect protocol differences. Because these equations are not validated for young people, maximal aerobic power was predicted at a heart rate of 200 beats·min–1 by regressing observed heart rates on the oxygen costs of stepping for children and youth who completed at least 2 exercise stages. Overall, despite protocol differences, we found that the aerobic fitness levels of Canadians were lower in 2007–2009 than in 1981, with declines apparent in all age and both sex groups, thereby increasing the number of those at risk of adverse health outcomes. Future work is required to validate prediction equations of aerobic fitness for young people to make it possible to compare fitness levels over the lifespan and across time.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-68
Author(s):  
Lyubomyr Vovkanych ◽  
Yuriy Boretsky ◽  
Viktor Sokolovsky ◽  
Dzvenyslava Berhtraum ◽  
Stanislav Kras

The study purpose was estimation of the accuracy of RR time series measurements by SHC “Rytm” and validity of derived heart rate variability (HRV) indexes under physical loads and recovery period. Materials and methods. The participants were 20 healthy male adults aged 19.7 ± 0.23 years. Data was recorded simultaneously with CardioLab CE12, Polar RS800, and SHC “Rytm”. Test protocol included a 2 minute step test (20 steps per minute, platform height – 40 cm) with the next 3 minute recovery period. HRV indexes were calculated by Kubios HRV 2.1. Results. The RR data bias in the case of physical loads was -0.06 ms, it increased to 0.09-0.33 ms during the recovery period. The limits of agreement for RR data ranged from 3.7 ms to 22.8 ms, depending on the period of measurements and pair of compared devices. It is acceptable for the heart rate and HRV estimation. The intraclass correlation coefficients (0.62–1.00) and Spearman correlation coefficient (0.99) were high enough to suggest very high repeatability of the data. We found no significant difference (p > 0.05) and good correlation (r = 0.94-1.00) between the majority of HRV indexes, calculated from data of Polar RS800 and SHC “Rytm” in conditions of physical loads (except for LF/HF ratio) and in the recovery period. The only one index (RMSSD) was different (p < 0.05) in case of Polar RS800 and SHC “Rytm” data, obtained in the recovery period. The largest numbers of different HRV indexes have been found during the comparison of CardioLab CE12 and Polar RS800 – RMSSD, pNN50, and SD1. Correlation between HRV indexes (r = 0.81-1.00) was very high in all pairs of devices in all periods of measurements. Conclusions. The SHC “Rytm” appears to be acceptable for RR intervals registration and the HRV analysis during physical loads and recovery period.


Sports ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bjørn Harald Olstad ◽  
Veronica Bjørlykke ◽  
Daniela Schäfer Olstad

The main purpose of this study was to identify whether a different protocol to achieve maximal heart rate should be used in sprinters when compared to middle-distance swimmers. As incorporating running training into swim training is gaining increased popularity, a secondary aim was to determine the difference in maximal heart rate between front crawl swimming and running among elite swimmers. Twelve elite swimmers (4 female and 8 male, 7 sprinters and 5 middle-distance, age 18.8 years and body mass index 22.9 kg/m2) swam three different maximal heart rate protocols using a 50 m, 100 m and 200 m step-test protocol followed by a maximal heart rate test in running. There were no differences in maximal heart rate between sprinters and middle-distance swimmers in each of the swimming protocols or between land and water (all p ≥ 0.05). There were no significant differences in maximal heart rate beats-per-minute (bpm) between the 200 m (mean ± SD; 192.0 ± 6.9 bpm), 100 m (190.8 ± 8.3 bpm) or 50 m protocol (191.9 ± 8.4 bpm). Maximal heart rate was 6.7 ± 5.3 bpm lower for swimming compared to running (199.9 ± 8.9 bpm for running; p = 0.015). We conclude that all reported step-test protocols were suitable for achieving maximal heart rate during front crawl swimming and suggest that no separate protocol is needed for swimmers specialized on sprint or middle-distance. Further, we suggest conducting sport-specific maximal heart rate tests for different sports that are targeted to improve the aerobic capacity among the elite swimmers of today.


Author(s):  
Matthew R. Moreno ◽  
Karly A. Rodas ◽  
Ashley M. Bloodgood ◽  
J. Jay Dawes ◽  
Joseph M. Dulla ◽  
...  

This study captured heart rate (HR) responses of custody assistant (CA) recruits undertaking circuit training sessions. Data from 10 male and 12 female CA recruits were analyzed. Based on YMCA step test recovery HR, recruits were divided into higher fitness (HF; top 25%), lower fitness (LF; bottom 25%), and moderate fitness (MF; remaining recruits) groups. HR was measured during two circuit training sessions featuring calisthenics and running. HR zones were defined as: very light (<57% of age-predicted maximum heart-rate [HRmax]); light (57–63% HRmax); moderate (64–76% HRmax); vigorous (77–95% HRmax); and very vigorous (>95% HRmax). A one-way ANOVA, with Bonferroni post hoc, calculated between-group differences in time spent, and percentage of total time, in the HR zones. In session one, the LF group spent less time in the light training zone compared to the MF group, and more time in the very vigorous zone compared to the HF group (p = 0.027–0.047). In session two, the LF group spent more time in the moderate zone compared to both groups, and a greater percentage of time in the very vigorous zone compared to the MF group (p = 0.002–0.004). LF recruits generally worked harder during circuit training than their fitter counterparts, which supported recommendations for ability-based modifications.


2002 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 449-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle D. Fortier ◽  
Peter T. Katzmarzyk ◽  
Claude Bouchard

Associations among baseline physical activity, aerobic fitness, changes in physical activity, and 7-y changes in adiposity were determined. The sample consisted of 602 males and 644 females, aged 20-69 y, from the 1981 Canada Fitness Survey and the 1988 Campbell's Survey. Questionnaire-derived measures of physical activity level consisted of activity energy expenditure (AEE) and time spent on physical activity. Participants were grouped into physical activity level categories by AEE and physical activity intensity (based on MET values), and physical activity level changes were determined from movement between tertiles of AEE from baseline to follow-up. Aerobic fitness levels at baseline were determined using the Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test. Changes in body mass, the sum of five skinfolds (SF5), and waist circumference (WC) were used as indicators of adiposity change. ANCOVA and multiple regression analyses indicated that neither baseline physical activity levels, intensity, physical activity change categories, nor aerobic fitness levels were significant predictors of changes in adiposity. In conclusion, physical activity was not predictive of 7-y changes in indicators of adiposity in this sample. Key words: weight gain, longitudinal study, obesity, lifestyle


2015 ◽  
Vol 40 (11) ◽  
pp. 1186-1192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sisitha U. Jayasinghe ◽  
Susan J. Torres ◽  
Steve F. Fraser ◽  
Anne I. Turner

This research tested the hypothesis that women who had higher levels of physical fitness will have lower hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal axis (cortisol) and sympatho-adrenal medullary system (blood pressure and heart rate) responses to food intake compared with women who had low levels of physical fitness. Lower fitness (n = 22; maximal oxygen consumption = 27.4 ± 1.0 mL∙kg−1·min−1) and higher fitness (n = 22; maximal oxygen consumption = 41.9 ± 1.6 mL∙kg−1·min−1) women (aged 30–50 years; in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle) who participated in levels of physical activity that met (lower fitness = 2.7 ± 0.5 h/week) or considerably exceeded (higher fitness = 7.1 ± 1.4 h/week) physical activity guidelines made their own lunch using standardised ingredients at 1200 h. Concentrations of cortisol were measured in blood samples collected every 15 min from 1145–1400 h. Blood pressures and heart rate were also measured every 15 min between 1145 h and 1400 h. The meal consumed by the participants consisted of 20% protein, 61% carbohydrates, and 19% fat. There was a significant overall response to lunch in all of the parameters measured (time effect for all, p < 0.01). The cortisol response to lunch was not significantly different between the groups (time × treatment, p = 0.882). Overall, both groups showed the same pattern of cortisol secretion (treatment p = 0.839). Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, or heart rate responses (time × treatment, p = 0.726, 0.898, 0.713, and 0.620, respectively) were also similar between higher and lower fitness women. Results suggest that the physiological response to food intake in women is quite resistant to modification by elevated physical fitness levels.


2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennie A. Phillips ◽  
Deborah Rohm Young

Background:This study examined associations between sports participation, physical activity, fitness level, and body mass index in ninth-grade girls.Methods:Data were analyzed for 221 participants who completed sports participation and physical activity recall questionnaires, an aerobic step test, and height and weight measurement.Results:On average, participants had low physical activity levels, and many were overweight or obese (47%). About half participated in at least one organized sport in the previous year. Sports participants had higher current estimated energy expenditure compared with non-sports participants (P = .0007). Those who participated on at least two teams were more likely to complete the three-stage step test without reaching their target heart rate than those who did not participate on any teams (P < .03). Past sports participation was positively associated with current physical activity and fitness levels.Conclusion:Urban adolescent girls who participate in sports have increased energy expenditure and higher fitness levels, indicating sports as a potential strategy to improve physical activity and health in this population.


2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 94-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego Augusto Santos Silva ◽  
Mark Stephen Tremblay ◽  
Andreia Pelegrini ◽  
João Marcos Ferreira de Lima Silva ◽  
Edio Luiz Petroski

INTRODUCTION: aerobic fitness is considered one of the most important components of health-related physical fitness, with low levels related to increased risk of premature death from all causes, especially cardiovascular diseases.OBJECTIVE: to identify the characteristics of adolescents at higher risk of low levels of aerobic fitness.METHODS: the study included 696 adolescents 15-17 years of age enrolled in public high schools of Florianópolis, southern Brazil. This cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Aerobic fitness was measured using the modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test mCAFT. Sociodemographic gender, age, school grade, paternal and maternal schooling, socioeconomic status, and anthropometric variables body weight, height, triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness, sexual maturation, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and eating habits were collected.RESULTS: it was found that 31.5% of adolescents had low aerobic fitness levels, being higher in boys 49.2% compared to girls 20.6%. Moreover, girls with sedentary behavior, overweight and high body fat percentage were the groups most likely to have inadequate aerobic fitness. In males, the groups most likely to have inadequate aerobic fitness were those whose parents studied more than eight years, those with low levels of physical activity, and those with inadequate nutrition and excessive body fat.CONCLUSION: low aerobic fitness levels were present in one third of adolescents and was more prevalent in boys. Lifestyle changes, including replacement of sedentary behaviors by physical and sport activities , may assist in improving the aerobic fitness of Brazilian adolescents.


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