Markus Gerber1, Mats Börjesson, Thomas Ljung, Magnus Lindwall, Ingibjörg H Jonsdottir. 1. 1Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, SWITZERLAND; 2Department of Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg and Östra Hospital, Gothenburg, SWEDEN; 3Department of Food and Nutrition, and Sport Science, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, SWEDEN; 4Department of Health Science, Mid Sweden University, SWEDEN; 5Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, SWEDEN; and 6Institute of Stress Medicine, Gothenburg, SWEDEN.
Abstract
PURPOSE: This cross-sectional observational study examined the degree to which cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and self-perceived stress are associated with cardiometabolic risk factors and the overall risk score for cardiovascular diseases. The second aim was to determine whether participants' CRF levels moderate the relationships between stress and cardiometabolic risk. METHODS: A gender-matched stratified sample (N = 197, 51% men, Mage = 39.2 yr) was used to ensure that participants with varying stress levels were equally represented. CRF was assessed with the Åstrand bicycle test, and perceived stress was assessed with a single-item question. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), glycated hemoglobin, and total cardiometabolic risk score (sum of the z-standardized residuals of the previously mentioned indicators) were assessed as outcomes. RESULTS: Higher LDL-C, TG, and total metabolic risk were found in participants with high stress scores (P < 0.05). In addition, lower SBP, DBP, BMI, LDL-C, TG, and total metabolic risk were observed in participants with high CRF (P < 0.05). Two-way ANCOVA provided significant interaction effects for five of the nine outcome variables (P < 0.05, 3.6%-4.8% of explained variance). Participants with high stress who also had high CRF levels had lower SBP, DBP, LDL-C, TG, and total cardiometabolic risk than participants with high stress but low or moderate CRF levels. No significant main or interaction effects occurred for BMI, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and glycated hemoglobin. CONCLUSION: Better CRF is associated with more favorable levels of several cardiometabolic risk factors, specifically in participants experiencing high stress. Higher CRF may provide some protection against the health hazards of high chronic stress by attenuating the stress-related increase in cardiovascular risk factors.
PURPOSE: This cross-sectional observational study examined the degree to which cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and self-perceived stress are associated with cardiometabolic risk factors and the overall risk score for cardiovascular diseases. The second aim was to determine whether participants' CRF levels moderate the relationships between stress and cardiometabolic risk. METHODS: A gender-matched stratified sample (N = 197, 51% men, Mage = 39.2 yr) was used to ensure that participants with varying stress levels were equally represented. CRF was assessed with the Åstrand bicycle test, and perceived stress was assessed with a single-item question. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), glycated hemoglobin, and total cardiometabolic risk score (sum of the z-standardized residuals of the previously mentioned indicators) were assessed as outcomes. RESULTS: Higher LDL-C, TG, and total metabolic risk were found in participants with high stress scores (P < 0.05). In addition, lower SBP, DBP, BMI, LDL-C, TG, and total metabolic risk were observed in participants with high CRF (P < 0.05). Two-way ANCOVA provided significant interaction effects for five of the nine outcome variables (P < 0.05, 3.6%-4.8% of explained variance). Participants with high stress who also had high CRF levels had lower SBP, DBP, LDL-C, TG, and total cardiometabolic risk than participants with high stress but low or moderate CRF levels. No significant main or interaction effects occurred for BMI, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and glycated hemoglobin. CONCLUSION: Better CRF is associated with more favorable levels of several cardiometabolic risk factors, specifically in participants experiencing high stress. Higher CRF may provide some protection against the health hazards of high chronic stress by attenuating the stress-related increase in cardiovascular risk factors.
Authors: Markus Gerber; Katharina Endes; Christian Herrmann; Flora Colledge; Serge Brand; Lars Donath; Oliver Faude; Uwe Pühse; Henner Hanssen; Lukas Zahner Journal: Biomed Res Int Date: 2016-10-04 Impact factor: 3.411
Authors: René Schilling; Flora Colledge; Sebastian Ludyga; Uwe Pühse; Serge Brand; Markus Gerber Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-07-03 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Elin Arvidson; Anna Sjörs Dahlman; Mats Börjesson; Lennart Gullstrand; Ingibjörg H Jonsdottir Journal: BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med Date: 2018-08-21
Authors: Markus Gerber; Sandrine Isoard-Gautheur; René Schilling; Sebastian Ludyga; Serge Brand; Flora Colledge Journal: Front Psychol Date: 2018-11-02