Review: Mortality trends in the general population: the importance of cardiorespiratory fitness

Abstract

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is not only an objective measure of habitual physical activity, but also a useful diagnostic and prognostic health indicator for patients in clinical settings. Although compelling evidence has shown that CRF is a strong and independent predictor of all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality, the importance of CRF is often overlooked from a clinical perspective compared with other risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking, or obesity. Several prospective studies indicate that CRF is at least as important as the traditional risk factors, and is often more strongly associated with mortality. In addition, previous studies report that CRF appears to attenuate the increased risk of death associated with obesity. Most individuals can improve their CRF through regular physical activity. Several biological mechanisms suggest that CRF improves insulin sensitivity, blood lipid profile, body composition, inflammation, and blood pressure. Based on the evidence, health professionals should encourage their patients to improve CRF through regular physical activity.

Sitting time, physical fitness impairments and metabolic abnormalities in people with bipolar disorder: An exploratory study

“…This is more than double the level of sedentary behavior reported in older populations (>60 years) (mean=5.3h per day) (Harvey et al, 2014) and similar to the levels found in people with psychosis (Stubbs et al, 2016). The extent to which sedentary behavior in people with bipolar disorder contributes to the previously observed physical fitness impairments (Vancampfort et al, 2015c; and metabolic abnormalities (Vancampfort et al, 2015d), both predictors for cardiovascular diseases and premature mortality (Lee et al, 2010), is unknown. Given that sedentary behavior is modifiable, understanding sedentary behavior levels and correlates might offer a unique opportunity to reduce the considerable cardio-metabolic rates seen in people with bipolar disorder Vancampfort et al, 2013).…”

Sport and exercise as contributors to the health of nations

“…3,4 Low fitness is a better predictor of mortality than are obesity 5 or hypertension, 3,6 which are health risk factors afforded far greater emphasis than fitness by the media and by most health professionals.…”

Neurofibromatosis: part 2 – clinical management

“…Health-related physical fitness is determined by aerobic capacity, body composition and musculoskeletal profile ( flexibility, muscular strength and endurance). Aerobic capacity (as measured by the maximal oxygen uptake, reflects the functionality of respiratory, cardiovascular and muscular systems and varies amongst individuals due to genetic factors, age, sex, habitual daily levels of physical activity and health status 47 .…”

“…Aerobic capacity (as measured by the maximal oxygen uptake, reflects the functionality of respiratory, cardiovascular and muscular systems and varies amongst individuals due to genetic factors, age, sex, habitual daily levels of physical activity and health status 47 .…”