Fitness and physical activity in Norwegian adults

Abstract

To date there is scant knowledge about cardio-respiratory fitness in the general adult population. The aims of the present study were to assess physical activity and fitness level in adults, and to obtain practical experience with field testing in the adult population. Employees in a rural municipality (n=925) were invited to answer a questionnaire about physical activity and participate in the UKK 2-km Walk Test. Sixty per cent (n=554) answered the questionnaire and 42% (n=388) performed the test. Sixty per cent of the men and 32% of the women had a body mass index ≥25. Twenty-three per cent of the participants were physically active ≥30 min/day. Estimated VO₂ max (±SD) was 39.1±8.9 for men and 32.0±5.9 for women. The Walk Test was well received by participants and easy to arrange. The Norwegian adult population was not as fit as expected. The feasibility of the test was good. However, it is important to develop strategies to increase participation rates in future fitness tests and surveillances.

• Cardiorespiratory fitness
• feasibility
• physical fitness
• UKK Walk Test