Activity versus Fitness

Most people know that staying active is important for general health.  The government recommends certain minimum amounts of activity for children and adults.  But unfortunately, less emphasis is placed on achieving a high level of cardiovascular fitness.

This study examines both total activity and aerobic fitness in children.  The study concludes that both total physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness have separate and independent effects on metabolic syndrome.  In other words, both are necessary for optimal health.

Other studies, which I plan to dig up soon, have looked at the optimal amount of total physical activity (total energy expenditure) per week.  In this study, for both total activity and cardiovascular fitness, it showed the more of each, the better.  The highest quintiles for these two variables showed the lowest risk for the metabolic syndrome.

Keeping active and expending a minimum number of calories per week is a vital part of staying of healthy.  However, part of this activity should be spent at higher intensities in order to develop a high level of aerobic fitness.