Sleep and Exercise Behaviors Do Not Differ Based Upon Aerobic Capacity or Hand Grip Strength

Abstract

Background: Despite the known benefits of physical activity (PA), most of the population in the United States fails to meet minimum recommended levels, and this lack of activity is believed to affect their health and well-being. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare lifestyle behaviors of exercise and sleep in low, moderate, and high performers for maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) and hand-grip strength (GS). Methods: Participants (n = 107, 19-62 years old) performed physical fitness assessments: estimated VO2max through submaximal cycle ergometry, and GS. Physical activity (PA) and sleep were assessed via self-reported questionnaires: physical activity as a vital sign (PAVS) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Participants were categorized according to age and gender-specific normative values as low, medium, and high performer (LP, MP, and HP). Group characteristics were compared for each ranked variable using Kruskall-Wallis tests. Results: PAVS scores revealed 66.3% (n=68) of participants met minimum PA of 150 min/week (221.6 ± 177.8). According to VO2max performance groups, the LP group was taller, heavier, had higher diastolic blood pressure, and had a larger waist circumference than MP or HP (p =.000-.029), with moderate and high effect sizes. When categorized by relative GS, the LP group was heavier and had larger waist and hip circumferences than the HP group (p =.003-.011), all with high effect sizes. Conclusion: Despite high levels of self-report PA in this cohort, this did not translate to better cardiorespiratory fitness or muscular strength. Participants met PA guidelines but achieved suboptimal scores for VO2max and GS signifying elevated risk of mortality. The incongruity between PA levels and fitness classification suggest that lifestyle habits may not be a suitable surrogate for objective measurement of fitness.