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Cardiovascular disease risk factors in habitual exercisers, lean sedentary men and abdominally obese sedentary men

International Journal of Obesity volume 29, pages 1063–1069 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate whether the favourable cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor profile of habitual exercisers is attributable to exercise or leanness.

DESIGN:

Cross-sectional study of 113 nonsmoking men aged 30–45 y. CVD risk factors were compared in exercisers (n=39) and sedentary men (n=74), and in subgroups of lean exercisers (n=37), lean sedentary men (n=46) and obese sedentary men (n=28). Waist girth was used to identify lean (<100 cm) and abdominally obese (≥100 cm) subgroups.

MEASUREMENTS:

Blood pressure, physical activity (7-day recall), physical fitness (maximum oxygen consumption) and fasted lipoproteins, apolipoprotein (apo) B, triglycerides, glucose and fibrinogen.

RESULTS:

Exercisers were fitter and leaner than sedentary men and had a better CVD risk factor profile. Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and apo B concentrations were lower in lean exercisers than in lean sedentary men, suggesting that exercise influences these risk factors. Indeed, time spent in vigorous activity was the only significant predictor of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in multiple linear regression models. Exercise status had little influence on triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), and unfavourable levels were only evident among obese sedentary men. Waist girth was the sole predictor of triglycerides and HDL-C, explaining 44 and 31% of the variance, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

These findings suggest that the CVD risk factor profile of habitual exercisers is attributable to leanness and exercise. Leanness is associated with favourable levels of HDL-C and triglycerides, while exercise is associated with lower levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and apo B.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a Project Grant from the National Health Service.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sport Science, Tourism & Leisure, Canterbury Christ Church University College, Canterbury, UK

    G O'Donovan, A Owen, E M Kearney & K Woolf-May

  2. Cardiology Department, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Canterbury, UK

    A Owen

  3. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital, Margate, UK

    E M Kearney

  4. Kent Haemophilia Centre, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Canterbury, UK

    D W Jones

  5. School of Sport, Performing Arts and Leisure, University of Wolverhampton, Walsall, UK

    A M Nevill

  6. Centre for Population Health in the West, Sunshine Hospital and Melbourne University, Victoria, Australia

    S R Bird

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  1. G O'Donovan
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Correspondence to G O'Donovan.

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O'Donovan, G., Owen, A., Kearney, E. et al. Cardiovascular disease risk factors in habitual exercisers, lean sedentary men and abdominally obese sedentary men. Int J Obes 29, 1063–1069 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803004

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