The influence of health-related fitness on coronary heart disease risk indicators in middle-aged females

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between coronary heart disease (CHD) risk indicators and the health-related fitness (HRF) parameters in middle-aged women aged 40 - 60 years. Their mean body height was 162.2 +/- 3.4 cm, body mass - 69.3 +/- 10.2 kg. Body composition was assessed with the bioelectrical impedance method. The concentrations of total cholesterol (CHOL), HDLC, I,DL-C, triacylglycerols and glucose were measured in venous blood. Maximal O-2 consumption ((V)over dotO(2)max) was measured directly in an incremental treadmill walk test. EUROFIT test battery for adults was used to evaluate HRF of subjects. Mean oxygen consumption was 28.1 +/- 4.3 ml.min(-1).kg(-1), and the result of the 2 km walk test index - 103.6 +/- 9.0. Anthropometric variables (except body height) influenced the results of some HRF tests (bent arm hang, handgrip, 2 km walk test). (V)over dotO(2)max/kg correlated significantly with 2 km walk test index (r = 0.624; P < 0.001) and with all tests reflecting flexibility (side-bending of the trunk, sit-and-reach, shoulder abduction; correlation coefficients ranging from 0.401 to 0.468). Among the blood lipid concentrations, only CHOL correlated with the 2 km walk test (r = -0.451; P < 0.05) and with handgrip (r = -0.534; P < 0.01) and HDL-C - with the vertical jump (r = -0.407; P < 0.05). In conclusion, HRF were uncorrelated with most CHD risk indicators in middle-aged women.