Fitness and Physical Activity as Correlates of Metabolic Factors in a Multiethnic New Zealand Sample: 1280

PURPOSE: This study compared correlations of physical activity (PA) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) to metabolic factors in an adult sample (N=89; 38 Euro/Others, 32 Maori, 19 Pacific) aged 23–86 (mean = 50.6 ± 16.3) years. METHODS: Measures of body mass index (BMI) and resting blood pressure (BP) were followed by a submaximal CRF test on a cycle ergometer. Three days of heart rate monitoring (HRM) provided an objective measure of PA, and fasting blood samples were drawn for triglycerides (TG), high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, respectively), total cholesterol (TC), and fasting glucose. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to determine predictors of BMI, BP, blood lipids and fasting glucose. RESULTS: All results were adjusted for age and gender. Compared to Euro/Others, Maori and Pacific participants had significantly higher BMI (p<0.0001), resting HR and BP (Pacific p<0.05), and significantly lower PA (Pacific p<0.05) and CRF levels (Maori p=0.02, Pacific p=0.0002). Compared to PA, CRF was more strongly related to BMI and all blood variables, although statistical significance was observed only for BMI (p<0.001), TC (p<0.05), and TC/HDL-cholesterol (p<0.05). Moderate- and vigorous-intensity PA was more highly correlated to systolic BP, compared to CRF. Multiple linear regression models identified that observed ethnic differences in CRF were strongly influenced by BMI and participation in vigorous-intensity PA. Additional analyses will explore interactions among ethnic groups. CONCLUSIONS: Participants with higher CRF levels demonstrated lower BMI levels, and both factors were associated with positive blood lipid and fasting glucose profiles. Moderate- and vigorous-intensity PA was more strongly correlated to systolic BP. This is the first study to examine CRF levels and correlates among ethnic groups in New Zealand. Levels of PA, CRF, and BMI are inter-related and Pacific participants in this sample were identified as the high-risk population, suggesting a need to focus on promoting vigorous-intensity PA to increase CRF levels.