Evidence of association between gender and physical fitness in physically active people in Colombia

Abstract Background Physical Condition (PC) is an important health marker (Colley, 2019), as a predictor of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases, among other causes (Cruz, 2018). Aim To perform association tests between gender (G) and CP in physically active people in Colombia. This study is observational cross-sectional, 1,503 people participated, 1,019 Women (W) (68.6%) and 485 Men (M) (31.4%) in Colombia, mean age 52±16.2 in W and 42±17.8 in M. Data were analyzed with Rstudio v2022.12.0. The statistical protocol was: 1- Empirical distribution. 2- Normality tests with Kolmogorov-Smirnov. 3- Tests of independence with Chi-square (χ²). The mean (X¯), percentage (%) and standard deviation (±) were taken into account. PC was measured in body composition variables; Body Mass Index (BMI), Body Adiposity Index (BAI) and Abdominal Circumference (AC), Grip Strength (GS) and Maximal Oxygen Consumption (Vo2max). Results In W, 38.3% (27.2±1.37) were overweight (Ow) and 19.1% (33.0±2.83) obese (Ob), 69.6% (90.9±8.14) cardiovascular risk (CVR) for AC and 50.4% (32±4.73) risk for BAI. Regarding GS 43.4% (15.8±6.38) is weak and 54.6% (27.7±4.98) Vo2max is low. In M 35.6% (26.9±1.48) presented Ow and 10.6% (32.7±2.39) in Ob, 39.7% (98.4±6.8) with Rcv by AC and 24.3% (29.7±3.45) at risk by BAI. As for GS 41.5% (27.1±6.39) are weak and 32.3% (33.3±6.33) under Vo2max. According to independence tests with χ² there is association between the G and BMI (χ²=1452.1, df = 1427, p-value=0. 315), G and AC (χ²=394.9, df = 382, p-value=0. 313), G and Vo2max (χ²=155.5, df = 6, p-value<2. 2e-16), G and BAI (χ²=2970.3, df = 1502, p-value<2.2e-16), G and GS (χ²=6015.5, df = 1502, p-value<2.2e-16). This project has been approved by the bioethics committee. Conclusions Test of independence with (χ²), being a non-homogeneous sample, there is a strong association between G and PC with BMI, BAI, AC, GS and Vo2max, each variable depending on the others, evidencing higher Rcv in women with respect to men. Key messages • Several studies consider Physical Condition (PC) is an important health marker (Colley, 2019), as a predictor of morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular disease, among other causes (Cruz, 2018). • There is a strong association between G and the levels of BMI, BAI, AC, SG and Vo2max variables, each variable depending on the others, showing a higher Rcv in women compared to men.