Cardiovascular Fitness among U.S. Adults: NHANES 1999–2000 and 2001–2002

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Abstract
Purpose: To present information on cardiovascular fitness (estimated maximal oxygen uptake [V̇O2max] and cardiovascular fitness levels based on sex- and age-specific cut-points of estimated V̇O2max) among U.S. adults. Methods: Analysis of data on 1978 adults (20–49 yr) who had completed a submaximal exercise test, from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999–2000 and 2001–2002), a cross-sectional health survey of a nationally representative sample of the noninstitutionalized U.S. population Results: Estimated V̇O2max was significantly lower (P < 0.01) in non-Hispanic black ([mean ± standard error] 38.2 ± 0.7 mL·min−1·kg−1) than Mexican-American and non-Hispanic white adults (41.5 ± 0.6 and 40.6 ± 0.4 mL·min−1·kg−1, respectively). Estimated V̇O2max was also significantly lower (P < 0.001) in non-Hispanic black females (33.1 ± 0.6 mL·min−1·kg−1) than in Mexican-American and non-Hispanic white females (37.0 ± 0.7 and 36.4 ± 0.4 mL·min−1·kg−1, respectively). The proportion of low, moderate, and high cardiovascular fitness differed (P < 0.001) among race and race–sex groups. This difference was most striking among females, where 30.9% [95% confidence interval = 23.6–38.2%] of non-Hispanic black women had a low cardiovascular fitness level, compared with only 13.5% [10.0–17.0%] of non-Hispanic white and 18.9% [14.0–23.8%] of Mexican-American women. Conclusions: Adults of non-Hispanic black race have lower cardiovascular fitness than other major race groups in the United States. Nearly one third of non-Hispanic black women had a low cardiovascular fitness level, suggesting that this group in particular may be at increased health risk due to low cardiovascular fitness.