Cardiorespiratory Fitness and its Relationship with Health Risk Factors Among University Students: A Comparison Between Iran and Italy

Cardiorespiratory Fitness (CRF) and its associated modifiable and non-modifiable health risk factors are very important in clinical studies.

This study aimed to compare health risk factors affecting CRF between Iranian and Italian male and female exercise science students. The correlation between VO2max and these factors was also evaluated.

The sample consisted of 87 sport science students from the University of Milan (25 males and 17 females) and the University of Mazandaran (20 males and 25 females) aged 23.69 ± 1.95 years. The level of Physical Activity (PA) and body composition indices were obtained as health risk factors. Then, CRF was assessed by the Bruce test. Rate Pressure Product (RPP), blood pressure, and Heart Rate (HR) were measured before, in the end, and six minutes after the end of the test.

Statistical analyses revealed significant differences in RPP, Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) during exercise, resting SBP, and Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR) between Iranian and Italian males and significant differences in Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) and body fat percentage between Iranian and Italian females (P < 0.05). The relationships between VO2max and resting RPP, resting HR, heart rate recovery, step counts, and vigorous PA were significant in all groups (P < 0.05).

As an assessment of VO2max, CRF is associated with hemodynamics and health risk factors. Age, sex, ethnicity, lifestyle, and culture of people in different geographical regions can affect health risk factors.