High Cardiorespiratory Fitness

Lee, D., et al. 2010. Mortality trends in the general population: The importance of cardiorespiratory fitness. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 24 (11), 27–35.

Recently a task force of scientists selected by the American Heart Association (AHA) introduced the 2020 U.S. “Impact Goals” for cardiovascular health and disease reduction (Lloyd-Jones et al. 2010). The goals are as follows: “By 2020, to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20% while reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20%.”

Confronted with how to define and measure ideal cardiovascular health, the task force identified four health behaviors and three health factors:

4 Health Behaviors

• nonsmoking
• body mass index < 25 kg/m²
• physical activity (150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity exercise, or a combination of these two)
• consumption of a diet that promotes cardiovascular health (emphasis on a low glycemic load, high fiber, high marine omega-3 fatty acids, high polyunsaturated to saturated fat ratio, and low trans fat content)

3 Health Factors

• total cholesterol < 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
• fasting blood glucose < 100 mg/dL
• blood pressure < 120/80 mm Hg

The new Impact Goals document declares that as men and women raise their levels of physical activity by increasing the intensity, frequency and/or duration of that activity, they experience much healthier lives. Moreover, coinciding with the release of the new AHA goals, new evidence suggests that low cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is as strong a predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and other health causes of mortality (referred to as all-cause mortality) as are well-established risk factors such as smoking, obesity, hypertension and diabetes (Lee et al. 2010).

Cardiorespiratory fitness can be defined as the ability of the respiratory, circulatory and muscular systems to consume, distribute and utilize oxygen during continuous physical activity (Lee et al. 2010). CRF is measured in milliliters of oxygen per kilogram of body weight per minute (ml O₂/kg/min). This research column will review the new research examining the importance of CRF for CVD risk reduction.

Lee et al. (2010) summarize several research studies that have compellingly demonstrated that moderate to high levels of CRF are associated with a reduced risk of CVD. In one paper—a recent and original meta-analysis of studies on CRF and mortality and on CRF and coronary heart disease (CHD) and CVD events—Kodama et al. (2009) review 33 investigations into these topics (all-cause mortality: 102,980 participants and 6,910 cases; CHD/CVD events: 84,323 participants and 4,485 cases). Based on this analysis, Kodama and colleagues report that each 1-MET increase in CRF is associated with risk reductions of 13% and 15% for all-cause mortality and CHD/CVD events, respectively (see the sidebar “5 Questions and Answers About CRF” for more on the MET).

Persons with low CRF have a higher risk of all causes of mortality and CHD/CVD events than persons with moderate to high levels of CRF, conclude Kodama and colleagues. They add that the CHD/CVD risk reduction observed with higher CRF levels is present regardless of a person’s age, sex, body mass index and smoking status.

With the association between low levels of CRF and CVD risk well established, a meaningful question to ask is whether improvements in CRF will also result in positive changes in CVD risk.

Erikssen et al. (1998) followed 2,014 healthy men (aged 40–60 at baseline) for a total of 22 years. The researchers report that improvements in CRF within a 7-year period early in the study were associated with significant risk reduction from all causes of mortality during the follow-up.

Given the research, you can confidently inform your clients that by improving their fitness level they are actually developing healthier lives and reducing disease risk. Lee et al. (2010) cite research showing that individuals who improved their CRF from low levels to moderate and/or high levels meaningfully reduced their risk of CVD. Other causes of mortality also decreased. Erikssen and colleagues emphasize that even small improvements in CRF resulted in significant CVD risk reductions, which is a very encouraging incentive to share with clients.

Lee et al. (2010) indicate that there are several mechanisms to explain how improved CRF reduces the risk for CVD and all causes of mortality (see Figure 1). Among the key mechanisms, the relationship of CRF to insulin resistance (a condition in which cells of the body become resistant to the effects of insulin, impairing the cell’s ability to take up and use glucose) comes to the forefront. Higher levels of CRF improve insulin sensitivity, thus improving the cell’s ability to use glucose as a fuel and helping to prevent or manage type 2 diabetes.

Second, Lee and colleagues recap data showing that persons with higher CRF have a lower risk of all variables in metabolic syndrome (waist circumference, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose). Persons with metabolic syndrome are very likely to develop CVD and diabetes.

Recent studies show that CRF is an excellent measure of several bodily functions highly associated with CVD and all causes of mortality. According to the data, one of the most important strategies that personal trainers can incorporate into their clients’ training is a goal to increase CRF, as it is likely to bring substantial health benefits. Get moving and keep going!