Differences in cardiovascular fitness of Italian high-school adolescents according to different physical activity levels assessed by IPAQ-A: a cross-sectional study

Purpose This study wants to examine gender’s differences in cardiovascular fitness according to different physical activity categories (high category–moderate category) assessed by IPAQ-A if exists a relationship between cardiovascular fitness and total physical activity, walking, moderate and vigorous physical activity and if cardiovascular fitness in high category and moderate category respects the guidelines for metabolic health in adolescents. 307 adolescents (15–17 years) were assessed in cardiovascular fitness by Leger test (VO2max) and physical activity level by self-reported questionnaire (IPAQ-A). Males have showed higher VO2max than females (p < 0.0005). In males, significant differences were found in VO2max in high category compared to moderate category (p < 0.0005), whereas in females, no differences were found. Males have higher VO2max than females in high category (p < 0.0005) and in moderate category (p < 0.0005). No gender’s differences were found in physical activity level. In males and females, small-to-moderate correlations were found between VO2max and total physical activity, moderate, and vigorous physical activity. 75.8% of males and 63.8% of girls have VO2max lower than cutoff for low cardiovascular fitness. In high category, 69% of males and 57.1% of girls and 87.1% of males and 67.7% of females in moderate category do not respect this cutoff. Adolescents present low cardiovascular fitness levels, exposing themselves to the cardiovascular disease’s risk. Small-to-moderate correlations were found between physical activity and cardiovascular fitness. It is necessary to adopt strategies to improve physical activity in young people. IPAQ-A presents some limits to identify PAL in young people.