Exploring the relationship between health-related fitness and biological CVD risk factors in Canadian young adult men and women

Abstract

It is well known that physical inactivity leads to development of poor musculoskeletal health and obesity, two major modifiable risk factors for the development of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD; Eyre, Kahn, & Robertson, 2004). Unfortunately, physical inactivity is on the rise in Canada. Recent data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (Statistics Canada, 2005) suggests that 53.5% of Canadians are physically inactive, placing them at increased risk for CVD. In Canadian adults, gender differences in physical activity levels suggest that women appear to be less physically active than men (Heart and Stroke, 2003). The CVD risk associated with physical inactivity appears more substantial when, the relative risk for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) associated with physical inactivity is equal to that of hypertension, high blood cholesterol, and cigarette smoking (Stewart, 2005).