title: Ten years of "civilization": fitness of Canadian Inuit.
abstract: Data on the cardiorespiratory fitness of the Canadian Inuit has been obtained before and after 10 yr exposure to "white civilization." The population tested comprises 201 males (aged 9-76 yr) and 143 females (aged 10-69 yr), about 70% of the eligible population of Igloolik (69 degrees 40'N). During direct maximum tests to exhaustion, a higher maximum heart rate was attained in 1980-81 (194.4 beats X min-1) than in 1970-71 (184.5 beats X min-1); this probably reflects a closer approach to a centrally limited maximum as the Inuit have become familiar with white investigators. The Astrand nomogram currently underestimates the directly measured maximum O2 intake (VO2max) by some 3% in subjects making a good maximum effort. Comparing the 1980-81 data with results for 1970-71, there has been a 15% decrease of predicted VO2max, accompanied by a 2- to 4-kg increase of body mass, accumulation of subcutaneous fat, and a decrease of leg extension strength, these changes affecting all subjects except boys aged 9-15 yr. It is suggested that the loss of personal fitness is related to adoption of a more sedentary lifestyle, particularly the use of tracked vehicles in place of walking through deep snow.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002962:Civilization; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D004930:Inuit; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009132:Muscles / Q000502:physiology; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010809:Physical Fitness