Estimation of Cardiorespiratory Fitness Without Exercise Testing: Cross-Validation in Midlife and Older Women

Non-exercise estimated cardiorespiratory fitness and incident type 2 diabetes in adults

AIM(S)

To examine the association between non-exercise estimated cardiorespiratory fitness (eCRF) and incident type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

In a sample of 13,616 men and women without diabetes at baseline, incident type 2 diabetes were determined as fasting plasma glucose level ≥ 7 mmol/l (126 mg/dL), self-report, or insulin usage at follow-up. eCRF was calculated in metabolic equivalents (METs) at baseline using sex-specific algorithms, including physical activity, smoking status, age, body mass index, waist circumference, and resting heart rate. Cox regression models were performed, and hazard ratios (HRs), 95 % confidence intervals (CIs), and p values were reported.

RESULTS

Each 1-MET unit increase in eCRF was associated with an 11 % lower risk of incident type 2 diabetes (p < 0.0001). Men in the upper and middle eCRF tertiles were at 46 % (95 % CI, 0.42-0.68) and 29 % (95 % CI, 0.57-0.88) lower risk of incident type 2 diabetes compared to the lower eCRF tertile (p < 0.0001). For women, there were no significant findings between eCRF tertiles and incident type 2 diabetes (p ≥ 0.11 for all).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher eCRF was associated with a lower incidence of type 2 diabetes in men. Further research needs to examine the association between eCRF and type 2 diabetes in women.

Association between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Metabolic Syndrome in Korean Older Adults

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the relationship between non-exercise-based estimation of cardiorespiratory fitness (eCRF) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Korea. The current study examined the prognostic role of eCRF in the risk stratification of MetS in a representative sample of Korean older adults (1822 men and 3069 women).

METHODS

The data used in the current study were extracted from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys IV and V. eCRF was obtained using a previously validated algorithm. MetS was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program definition with the acceptance of a Korean-specific waist circumference cutoff point.

RESULTS

Lower eCRF was significantly correlated with abnormalities in several components of MetS, including abdominal obesity, elevated glucose, elevated triglycerides, and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Furthermore, there was an inverse linear relationship between MetS prevalence and eCRF levels; higher eCRF was significantly and independently associated with lower prevalence of MetS.

CONCLUSION

The current findings suggest that eCRF can be adopted as a prognostic measure in determining the risk for MetS for elderly persons.