Cardiorespiratory Fitness Vs. Fatness: An Exploratory Study On Firefighters’ Cardiometabolic Health And Serum Testosterone

Abstract Background There is a high prevalence of women in South Africa with overweight and obesity which is associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic disorders. Perceived barriers such as lack of time and motivation reduce engagement in beneficial activity behaviours for health. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a time-efficient and effective way to improve cardiometabolic risk profile regardless of a loss in body mass or change in body composition. This randomized controlled trial aims to determine the effects on cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition and cardiometabolic health and feasibility of a home-based 14-week HIIT program in women with overweight/obesity or normal body mass. Methods One hundred and twenty women (18–40 years old) with a body mass index between 20 and 35 kg/m2, will be stratified according to their BMI (normal, BMI 20–24.9 kg/m2; or high BMI ≥25 kg/m2) and randomized into a HIIT exercising group (HIIT) or a non-exercising control group (CON). HIIT participants will perform exercises for 11 min/session six times per week for a period of 14 weeks. The 2 × 4 HIIT protocol will require a work phase of own-body weight exercise lasting 2 minutes (85% VO2peak), repeated four times and separated by a one-minute active rest phase (65% VO2peak). CON participants will be asked to maintain their normal habitual lifestyle. Outcomes of cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, echocardiography, central blood pressure, arterial stiffness and biomarkers of cardiometabolic health will be measured before and after the 14-week intervention. Every 4 weeks during the intervention, an objective estimation of compliance to the study protocol will be assessed by measuring participant physical activity over 7 days using an Actigraph GT3X accelerometer. Discussion Supervised laboratory-based HIIT interventions are effective in improving cardiometabolic health. More pragmatic exercise protocols may however show to be successful for mitigating barriers to the engagement in physical activity and exercise resulting in positive benefits to health. Investigation into home-based HIIT regimens are important in women, where globally the rising trend of overweight and obesity overshadows that of men. The results from this study may therefore inform future research on effective exercise prescription for women’s health. Trial registration Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (www.pactr.org - id no: PACTR201806003434299), 6th June 2018.

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Cardiorespiratory fitness in outpatients with bipolar disorder versus matched controls: An exploratory study

Journal of Affective Disorders ◽

10.1016/j.jad.2016.03.057 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 199 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Davy Vancampfort ◽

Pascal Sienaert ◽

Sabine Wyckaert ◽

Michel Probst ◽

Amber De Herdt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bipolar Disorder ◽

Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽

Exploratory Study

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Is Cardiorespiratory Fitness Related to Cardiometabolic Health and All-Cause Mortality Risk in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease? A CARE CR Study

Sports Medicine - Open ◽

10.1186/s40798-018-0138-z ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Simon Nichols ◽

Claire Taylor ◽

Richard Page ◽

Anna Kallvikbacka-Bennett ◽

Fiona Nation ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Coronary Heart Disease ◽

Heart Disease ◽

Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽

Mortality Risk ◽

Cardiometabolic Health ◽

All Cause Mortality

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Contributions of Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Visceral Adiposity to Six-Year Changes in Cardiometabolic Risk Markers in Apparently Healthy Men and Women

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism ◽

10.1210/jc.2010-2432 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 96 (5) ◽

pp. 1462-1468 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Caroline Rhéaume ◽

Benoit J. Arsenault ◽

Marie-Pierre Dumas ◽

Louis Pérusse ◽

Angelo Tremblay ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lipid Profile ◽

Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽

Cardiometabolic Risk ◽

Risk Profile ◽

Cardiometabolic Health ◽

Risk Markers ◽

The Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Lipoprotein Lipid ◽

Cardiometabolic Risk Markers

Context: Both excess visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and low cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) levels are associated with a deteriorated cardiometabolic risk profile. Objective: The aim of the study was to examine the respective contributions of changes in VAT accumulation vs. changes in CRF to 6-yr longitudinal changes in cardiometabolic risk markers. Design, Settings, and Participants: We conducted a prospective, population-based study with an average follow-up of 5.9 ± 0.8 yr. We followed 132 middle-aged participants from the Quebec Family Study (mean age, 35.3 ± 13.9 yr). VAT was measured by computed tomography, whereas the level of CRF was assessed by a submaximal physical working capacity test at baseline and at follow-up. A complete cardiometabolic risk profile, including systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting glucose and insulin levels, C-reactive protein (n = 72), as well as a standard lipoprotein-lipid profile, was obtained at baseline and at follow-up. Main Outcome Measures: We measured changes in CRF, VAT, and cardiometabolic risk profile over 6 yr. Results: After adjusting for age and sex, 6-yr changes in VAT were negatively correlated with changes in CRF (r = −0.38; P < 0.001). In a multivariate model that included age, sex, changes in VAT, changes in CRF, as well as baseline levels of the above cardiometabolic risk factors, 6-yr changes in VAT were the most important predictor of the change in the metabolic syndrome score (R2 = 13.2%; P < 0.001). Adding 6-yr changes in CRF levels significantly improved the predictability of the model (R2 = 19.7%; P = 0.002). Conclusions: Changes in both VAT and CRF levels observed over 6 yr are associated with changes in parameters of the lipoprotein-lipid profile, glucose-insulin homeostasis, and inflammatory markers. Thus, maintaining a low level of VAT and a high level of CRF are important targets for maintenance of cardiometabolic health.

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Cardiorespiratory Fitness Mediates the Associations between Sedentary Behavior and Markers of Cardiometabolic Health in Women

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1249/01.mss.0000493626.26095.df ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 46 ◽

pp. 151

Author(s):

Chantal A. Vella ◽

Vanessa Martinez ◽

Katrina Taylor ◽

Amber N. Green ◽

Ryan McGrath ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽

Cardiometabolic Health

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Ten-year change in sedentary behaviour, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiometabolic risk: independent associations and mediation analysis

British Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1136/bjsports-2016-096083 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 52 (16) ◽

pp. 1063-1068 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Sara Knaeps ◽

Jan G Bourgois ◽

Ruben Charlier ◽

Evelien Mertens ◽

Johan Lefevre ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Waist Circumference ◽

Sedentary Behaviour ◽

Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽

Cardiometabolic Risk ◽

Fasting Glucose ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Hdl Cholesterol ◽

Cardiometabolic Health ◽

Mediation Effects

BackgroundWe aimed to study the independent associations of 10-year change in sedentary behaviour (SB), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and objectively measured cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), with concurrent change in clustered cardiometabolic risk and its individual components (waist circumference, fasting glucose, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure). We also determined whether associations were mediated by change in CRF (for SB and MVPA), waist circumference (for SB, MVPA and CRF) and dietary intake (for SB).MethodsA population-based sample of 425 adults (age (mean±SD) 55.83±9.40; 65% men) was followed prospectively for 9.62±0.52 years. Participants self-reported SB and MVPA and performed a maximal cycle ergometer test to estimate peak oxygen uptake at baseline (2002–2004) and follow-up (2012–2014). Multiple linear regression and the product of coefficients method were used to examine independent associations and mediation effects, respectively.ResultsGreater increase in SB was associated with more detrimental change in clustered cardiometabolic risk, waist circumference, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides, independently of change in MVPA. Greater decrease in MVPA was associated with greater decrease in HDL cholesterol and increase in clustered cardiometabolic risk, waist circumference and fasting glucose, independent of change in SB. Greater decrease in CRF was associated with more detrimental change in clustered cardiometabolic risk and all individual components. Change in CRF mediated the associations of change in SB and MVPA with change in clustered cardiometabolic risk, waist circumference and, only for MVPA, HDL cholesterol. Change in waist circumference mediated the associations between change in CRF and change in clustered cardiometabolic risk, fasting glucose, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides.ConclusionsA combination of decreasing SB and increasing MVPA, resulting in positive change in CRF, is likely to be most beneficial towards cardiometabolic health.

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Short-Term, Equipment-Free High Intensity Interval Training Elicits Significant Improvements in Cardiorespiratory Fitness Irrespective of Supervision in Early Adulthood

Frontiers in Sports and Active Living ◽

10.3389/fspor.2021.697518 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

Author(s):

Tanvir S. Sian ◽

Thomas Inns ◽

Amanda Gates ◽

Brett Doleman ◽

Nima Gharahdaghi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Blood Glucose ◽

Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽

High Intensity ◽

Plasma Insulin ◽

Interval Training ◽

Cardiometabolic Health ◽

Control Group ◽

High Intensity Interval Training ◽

High Intensity Interval

Introduction: Serious health implications from having low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and being overweight in young adulthood are carried forward into later life. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a time-effective, potent stimulus for improving CRF and indices of cardiometabolic health. To date, few studies have investigated the use of equipment-free HIIT or the impact of supervision for improving CRF via HIIT.Methods: Thirty healthy young adults (18–30 y) were randomised to 4 weeks (12 sessions) equipment-free, bodyweight based supervised laboratory HIIT (L-HIIT), unsupervised home HIIT (H-HIIT) or no-intervention (CON). Utilised exercises were star jumps, squats and standing sprints. Measurements of CRF (anaerobic threshold (AT) and VO2peak), blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), blood glucose and plasma insulin by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and muscle architecture were performed at baseline and after the intervention.Results: When compared to the control group, both HIIT protocols improved CRF (AT: L-HIIT mean difference compared to the control group (MD) +2.1 (95% CI: 0.34–4.03) ml/kg/min; p = 0.02; H-HIIT MD +3.01 (1.17–4.85) ml/kg/min; p = 0.002), VO2peak: L-HIIT (MD +2.94 (0.64–5.25) ml/kg/min; p = 0.01; H-HIIT MD +2.55 (0.34–4.76) ml/kg/min; p = 0.03), BMI (L-HIIT MD −0.43 (−0.86 to 0.00) kg/m2; p = 0.05; H-HIIT: MD −0.51 (−0.95 to −0.07) kg/m2; p = 0.03) and m. vastus lateralis pennation angle (L-HIIT MD 0.2 (0.13–0.27)°; p < 0.001; H-HIIT MD 0.17 (0.09 to 0.24)°; p < 0.001). There was no significant change in BP, blood glucose or plasma insulin in any of the groups.Conclusions: Four weeks time-efficient, equipment-free, bodyweight-based HIIT is able to elicit improvements in CRF irrespective of supervision status. Unsupervised HIIT may be a useful tool for counteracting the rise of sedentary behaviours and consequent cardiometabolic disorders in young adults.

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The Association Between Neighborhood Socioeconomic Deprivation, Cardiorespiratory Fitness, and Physical Activity in US Youth

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2019-0039 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (12) ◽

pp. 1147-1153

Author(s):

Morgan N. Clennin ◽

Russell R. Pate

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽

Maximal Oxygen Consumption ◽

Composite Index ◽

Socioeconomic Deprivation ◽

Future Research ◽

Cardiometabolic Health ◽

Individual Level ◽

Complex Sampling ◽

Underlying Mechanisms

Background: Growing evidence suggests that the broader neighborhood socioeconomic environment is independently associated with cardiometabolic health. However, few studies have examined this relationship among younger populations. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to (1) investigate the association between neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation (SED) and cardiorespiratory fitness and (2) determine the extent to which physical activity mediates this relationship. Methods: Data from 312 youth (aged 12–15 y) were obtained from the 2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey National Youth Fitness Survey. Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured using a standard submaximal treadmill test, and maximal oxygen consumption was estimated. Physical activity was self-reported time spent in moderate to vigorous activity. Neighborhood SED was measured by a composite index score at the census tract of residence. Logistic regression analyses examined relationships between neighborhood SED, physical activity, and cardiorespiratory fitness, adjusting for individual-level characteristics and the complex sampling design. Results: Neighborhood SED was not significantly associated with cardiorespiratory fitness or physical activity among youth in the study sample. Conclusions: While not significant, cardiorespiratory fitness levels were observed to decrease as neighborhood SED increased. Future research is needed to better understand this relationship and to identify underlying mechanisms beyond fitness or physical activity that may drive the relationship between neighborhood SED and health.

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