Cardiorespiratory fitness level and cardiovascular risk factors in school-aged girls

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between levels of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and selected cardiovascular disease risk factors in a group of schoolgirls. The sample included 268 Caucasian schoolgirls (8-15yrs). Cardiorespiratory fitness(VO2max) was assessed by 20m shuttle-run test. Total cholesterol (TC) level and triglycerides (TG) were assessed by Reflotron Analyser (Boehringer Mannheim). Systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures were evaluated using a Dinamap Monitor (model 8800). Body fat was estimated from skinfold measurement (subscapular and triceps). Associations between cardiorespiratory fitness and body fat (%fat) [r=-36, pless than or equal to0.01] and triglycerides (r=-0.18, pless than or equal to0.01) were found. However when adjusted for age and %fat those correlations disappeared. Analysing the data by quartiles of VO2max, it was found, that as the level of VO2max increased, the values of cardiovascular disease risk factors (SBP, DBP, BMI %Fat, TC, TG) decreased. However only the %fat and BMI showed consistent significant differences (pless than or equal to0.05) between fitness groups. Our data showed a weak association between CRF with lipids and blood pressure. The data also enhanced the role of body fat on the girls' CRF level. Our findings pointed out that the values of the VO2max would appear to agree with suggested minimal health fitness standard levels incorporated in the Fitnessgram test related to girls.