Physical fitness matters more than physical activity in controlling cardiovascular disease risk factors

Physical activity (PA) and physical fitness (PF) are inversely associated with the clustering of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors (RF) associated with the metabolic syndrome (MS). However, the role of individual components of PA, that is, intensity, duration and volume, and the inter-relationship with PF in the prevention of the MS and its individual components remains elusive. The study was based on 1298 (874 male and 424 female) police employees (aged 18–62 years) who participated in the Utrecht Police Lifestyle Intervention Fitness and Training study. PA was assessed with an extensive questionnaire. Peak oxygen uptake and metabolic markers, including blood pressure, fasting glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and waist circumference, were determined.