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© 1996 Oxford University Press

research-article

Conditioning Leisure Time Physical Activity and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Sociodemographic Groups of Middle-Aged Men in Eastern Finland

TIMO A LAKKA, JUSSI KAUHANEN and JUKKA T SALONEN

Research Institute of Public Health, University of Kuopio PO Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland and Department of Community Health and General Practice, University of Kuopio

BACKGROUND: Physical inactivity and poor cardiorespiratory fitness have been found to be associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and cancer.

METHODS: To characterize the least active and the least fit sociodemographic groups of middle-aged males, we investigated conditioning leisure time physical activity and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) in a population sample of 2589 men aged 42–60 years in Eastern Finland.

RESULTS: In covariate models, younger (P = 0.004), rural (P < 0.001), married or engaged (P = 0.04), lower income (P = 0.009), and employed men (P < 0.001), as well as farmers (P < 0.001) had a shorter duration of physical activity, whereas older (P < 0.001), urban (P = 0.05), single (P < 0.001), less educated (P < 0.001), lower income (P < 0.001), and unemployed or retired men (P < 0.001), as well as blue-collar workers (P < 0.001) had a lower mean intensity of physical activity than others. Older (P < 0.001), single (P < 0.001), less educated (P < 0.001), lower income (P < 0.001), and unemployed or retired men (P < 0.001), as well as blue-collar workers and farmers (P < 0.001) had lower VO2max than others.

CONCLUSION: On the basis of our data, for health promotion regarding physical activity, special attention should be paid to people In a lower socioeconomic position.

Keywords exercise, physical fitness, age, residence, mantal status, socioeconomic status, educational status, occupations, employment

Revised 1 June 1995


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