Elsevier

Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases

Volume 57, Issue 4, Januaryā€“February 2015, Pages 324-329
Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases

Physical Activity Versus Cardiorespiratory Fitness: Two (Partly) Distinct Components of Cardiovascular Health?

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcad.2014.09.008Get rights and content

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) both have inverse relationships to cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. Recent position papers and guidelines have identified the important role of both of these factors in CV health. The benefits of PA and CRF in the prevention of CV disease and risk factors are reviewed. In addition, assessment methodology and utilization in the research and clinical arenas are discussed. Finally, the benefits, methodology, and utilization are compared and contrasted to better understand the two (partly) distinct components and their impact on CV health.

Section snippets

Physical activity and cardiovascular health

In 1953, Dr. Jerry Morrisā€™ publication in the Lancet compared physically active London bus conductors to physically inactive bus drivers and found a decreased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) among the conductors who spent much of their day walking, standing, and climbing steps collecting tickets.8 Following in Dr. Morrisā€™ footsteps, many investigations have generated strong evidence that PA is associated with decreased risk for CVD and its risk factors.9., 10. In fact, Lee et al.10 found

Conclusion

Both CRF and PA have important and independent, but overlapping, roles in CV health. There are key distinctions with respect to measurement, association, and prediction of CVD. An inter-play between the two makes it difficult to precisely delineate their individual relationship with CVD clinical events. The question, the setting, and the resources should dictate the use of either measurement, as they are partly distinct components of CV health.

Statement of Conflict of Interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

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  • Cited by (0)

    Statement of Conflict of Interest: see page 327.

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