title: A cross-sectional examination of the physical fitness and selected health attributes of recreational all-terrain vehicle riders and off-road motorcyclists.
abstract: The aims of this study were: (1) to characterize selected fitness and health attributes of two types of habitual recreational off-road vehicle riders - off-road motorcyclists and all-terrain vehicle riders; (2) to explore differences among riders in terms of vehicle type, age, and gender; and (3) to compare the fitness and health of riders to population norms and clinical health standards. Canadian off-road riders (n = 141) of both sexes aged 16 years and over were recruited through local and national off-road riding organizations. Anthropometry, fitness, and health measures of off-road motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle riders were compared with population norms, health standards, and physical activity guidelines. Off-road motorcycle riders had above average aerobic fitness (79th percentile), while all-terrain vehicle riders were lower than average (40th percentile). All riders had a healthy blood lipid profile and a low incidence of the metabolic syndrome (12.9%) compared with members of the general population. Off-road motorcycle riders had healthier body composition and fitness than all-terrain vehicle riders; however, the body composition of off-road motorcycle riders was no healthier than that of the general population and all-terrain vehicle riders were worse than the general population. Off-road motorcycle riders had healthier anthropometry and fitness than all-terrain vehicle riders and thus fewer health risk factors for future disease, demonstrating that the physiological profiles of off-road riders are dependent on vehicle type.
authors.affiliation: Physical Activity and Chronic Disease Unit, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3, Canada. jamieb@yorku.ca
authors.forename: Jamie F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Burr
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jamnik
authors.forename: Norman
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gledhill
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009049:Motorcycles; D015541:Off-Road Motor Vehicles; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011998:Recreation; D012016:Reference Values; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids