Factors Associated with Age-Related Declines in Cardiorespiratory Fitness from Early Adulthood Through Midlife: CARDIA

This study aimed to describe maximal and submaximal cardiorespiratory fitness from early adulthood to midlife and examine differences in maximal fitness at age 20 yr and changes in fitness overtime by subcategories of sociodemographic, behavioral, and health-related factors. Methods Data include 5018 Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults participants (mean (SD) age, 24.8 (3.7) yr; 53.3% female; and 51.4% Black participants) who completed at least one maximal graded exercise test at baseline and/or the year 7 and 20 exams. Maximal and submaximal fitness were estimated by exercise duration and heart rate at the end of stage 2. Multivariable adjusted linear-mixed models were used to estimate fitness trajectories using age as the mechanism for time after adjustment for covariates. Fitness trajectories from ages 20 to 50 yr in 5-yr increments were estimated overall and by subgroups determined by each factor after adjustment for duration within the less favorable category. Results Mean (95% confidence interval) maximal fitness at age 20 and 50 yr was 613 (607–616) and 357 (350–362) s; submaximal heart rate during this period also reflected age-related fitness declines (126 (125–127) and 138 (137–138) bpm). Compared with men, women had lower maximal fitness at age 20 yr (P
Source: Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise - Category: Sports Medicine Tags: EPIDEMIOLOGY Source Type: research