RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, PHYSICAL FITNESS AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISK: STUDY IN MUZAMBINHO, MINAS GERAIS

Introduction: The negative relationship between physical activity, physical fitness, and cardiovascular risk is well established in populations with low levels of physical activity. Objective: The present study investigated this relationship in adults from Muzambinho, Minas Gerais, a population with a high rate of physically active individuals. Methods: Two hundred and thirty-seven individuals (132 women), mostly young adults (44.3% between 20 and 39 years) were assessed. Cardiovascular risk predictors ( body mass index, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, fasting cholesterol, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure), physical activity (total weekly volume of total physical activity) and physical fitness (aerobic fitness and relative hand strength) were measured. Results: More than 90% of the individuals were classified as active (they practiced physical activity for more than 150 min/week). Linear regression identified a negative association of relative hand strength and aerobic fitness to body mass index and waist circumference, as well as a positive association of relative hand strength with diastolic blood pressure. The indicators of physical activity and physical fitness showed no association with global cardiovascular risk. Conclusion: In this population, the inverse relationship between physical activity, physical fitness and cardiovascular risk was limited to physical fitness and obesity indicators, suggesting that in populations with high rates of physically active individuals, the increase in physical fitness, but not in physical activity, can help reduce obesity. Level of Evidence II; Lesser quality RCT.