Physical Fitness and Serum Cholesterol in Copenhagen Males Aged 40–59

Serum cholesterol values were related to the physical activity patterns of 370 middle-aged, normal males. The physical activity patterns studied were fitness expressed as indirectly measured maximal oxygen uptake, leisure time physical activity, and occupational physical activity. A weak but significant inverse relationship was found between physical fitness and serum cholesterol (r=-0.13, p < 0.05). Leisure-time physical activity exhibited an equally weak but statistically significant inverse relationship (p < 0.05), while no statistically significant relationship between occupational physical activity and serum cholesterol values could be demonstrated. The inverse relationship between physical fitness and serum cholesterol was found independent of age and weight differences within the material. Applying a multiple regression analysis to the data, it was demonstrated that a physical fitness level of 10 ml O2 per kg per min higher was accompanied by a serum cholesterol of 6 mg/100 ml (0.156 mmol/l) lower. On the basis of the present results and a short review of relevant literature it is concluded that a weak inverse relationship exists between serum cholesterol and physical fitness. This difference may explain a small part of the decreased risk of coronary heart disease which has been found among physically active subjects in the literature.