Effects of Regular Physical Activity on Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Body Composition in Young Adult Men

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Published: 2025-02-15
DOI: https://doi.org/10.48161/qcsj.v4n1a43
Keywords:
physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, VO2max, bioelectrical impedance analysis, MET-minutes

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Kamila Zarychta Romanowska
The Center for European Regional and Local Studies (EUROREG), University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
Mohamed Merza Khalil Ebrahim Al. Rayes
College of Health Sciences, University of Bahrain, Ahlia University, Manama, Bahrain
Prashant Kaushik
School of Education, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India

Abstract

Regular physical activity is considered an important determinant of health-related fitness, yet the magnitude of its association with cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition can vary substantially among young adults. This study examined whether habitual physical activity level was associated with estimated maximal oxygen uptake and body-composition indicators in young adult men. A cross-sectional analytical design was used with 132 apparently healthy men aged 18-25 years. Weekly physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form and expressed as MET-minutes per week. Participants were classified as low active, moderately active, or highly active. Cardiorespiratory fitness was estimated using a graded treadmill test. At the same time, body mass, body mass index, waist circumference, body fat percentage, and fat-free mass were assessed using standardized anthropometry and multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis. Between-group differences were examined using one-way analysis of variance with Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc comparisons. Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression were used to evaluate associations among physical activity, fitness, and body-composition variables. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Weekly physical activity differed significantly across groups (p < 0.001). Estimated VO2max increased from the low-activity group (38.1 ± 5.1 mL·kg-1·min-1) to the moderate-activity group (42.9 ± 5.2 mL·kg-1·min-1) and high-activity group (49.5 ± 7.1 mL·kg-1·min-1), F(2,129) = 29.09, p < 0.001. Body fat percentage was lower in the highly active group (16.5 ± 4.9%) than in the low-activity group (20.9 ± 4.5%), F(2,129) = 11.31, p < 0.001, while body mass index and fat-free mass did not differ significantly. Physical activity was positively correlated with estimated VO2max (r = 0.52, p < 0.001) and inversely correlated with body fat percentage (r = -0.30, p < 0.001) and waist circumference (r = -0.32, p < 0.001). In adjusted regression models, physical activity remained a significant predictor of estimated VO2max and body fat percentage. Higher regular physical activity was associated with better cardiorespiratory fitness and a more favorable adiposity profile in young adult men. The strongest and most consistent association was observed for estimated VO2max, suggesting that aerobic fitness may be particularly sensitive to habitual activity level during early adulthood.

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Vol. 3 No. 1 (2025)

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Articles
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Zarychta Romanowska, K., Khalil Ebrahim Al. Rayes, M. M., & Kaushik, P. (2025). Effects of Regular Physical Activity on Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Body Composition in Young Adult Men. Qubahan Journal of Coaching and Sports Sciences, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.48161/qcsj.v4n1a43

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