title: A poor association was found between self-reported physical activity and estimated maximal oxygen uptake of sedentary multiethnic women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In health evaluations, physical activity (PA) and cardiorespiratory fitness (maximal oxygen uptake [VO2max]) are important variables. It is not always possible to assess both of them. If the association between self-reported PA and VO2max was strong, it would be possible to use the information on PA to make assumptions about VO2max and vice versa. However, little is known about this relation, in particular among women at high risk for cardiovascular disease. Our aim was to study the association between self-reported PA (Short QUestionnaire to ASses Health enhancing PA) and fitness (determined using the Siconolfi step test) among sedentary women in a multiethnic population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were sampled from an exercise program for sedentary women (The Netherlands, 2008-09). Linear regression was performed with VO2max (dependent variable) and self-reported PA (independent variable); covariates were age and body mass index.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred ninety-seven women from different ethnic backgrounds were included. No significant association was found between VO2max and PA (R(2) = 0.60).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A poor association was found between self-reported PA and estimated VO2max. Hence, PA and VO2max represent two different aspects of health in sedentary women and cannot be used interchangeably. This should be taken into account when evaluating health promotion interventions or when making health risks statements in sedentary women in a multiethnic population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Academic Medical Centre, Meibergdreef 9, Postbus 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: m.g.gademan@amc.uva.nl.
authors.forename: Maaike G J
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Gademan
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Academic Medical Centre, Meibergdreef 9, Postbus 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hosper
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Academic Medical Centre, Meibergdreef 9, Postbus 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marije
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Deutekom
authors.affiliation: Education of Physiotherapy, Amsterdam University of Apllied Sciences,Tafelbergweg 52, 1000 CN Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Rehabilitation, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, Postbus 22660, 1100 DD, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Raoul H H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Engelbert
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Palo Alto Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Academic Medical Centre, Meibergdreef 9, Postbus 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Karien
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stronks
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009426:Netherlands; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D057185:Sedentary Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Ethnic groups; Exercise test; Physical activity; Sedentary; Self-report; Women