Population Evaluations of Health Related Fitness From Perceptions of Physical Activity and Fitness

Abstract

The possibility of predicting health related fitness using questions on occupational and leisure activity was explored in 172 men and 178 women. ANOVA and multiple regression equations related questionnaire responses to objective fitness measures including body mass index, circumferences, skinfolds, body fat, blood glucose, uric acid, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, PWC150, blood pressures, and resting heart rate. Reported occupational activities bore little relationship to health related fitness. Self-perceptions of moderately frequent and moderately intense leisure activity, plus at least average perceived fitness relative to age-matched peers, were associated with a favourable body fat content and lipid profile, whereas indicators of cardiovascular health (a low resting heart rate and a high PWC150) were linked with perceptions of frequent and intense activity, plus a perceived fitness level higher than that of a peer reference group. Based on these findings, a simple scoring of reported activity for use in fitness counseling is suggested. Key words: cardiovascular fitness, leisure activity, metabolic fitness, occupational activity, perceived activity