Physical Fitness and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in University Administrative Staff

Abstract

Cardiovascular risk factors such as physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, tobacco and alcohol consumption, overweight, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, among others, are responsible for the onset of non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, respiratory diseases, and diabetes (World Health Organization, 2017). The objective was to characterize the levels of physical fitness and cardiovascular risk factors in the administrative staff of the University of Atlántico through medical and physical assessments. A non-experimental cross-sectional descriptive research design was employed, with a quantitative approach and descriptive scope. The study sample was non-probabilistic and intentional, consisting of 30 participants (17 women and 13 men) aged between 22 and 62 years. The instruments used for health data collection included the American Heart Association questionnaire and lipid profile tests, while for physical fitness, the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, Rockport test, Hoeger test, and body composition assessment using the OMRON monitor were applied. Regarding physical fitness, moderate physical activity at work and vigorous activity during leisure time corresponded to 90% physical inactivity in both cases, with only 10% at a low level; moreover, more than 50% were inactive in terms of commuting and moderate leisure-time physical activity, around 20% at a low level, and approximately 17% at a medium level.