Abstract

Background: Cycling is an easy and low-impact activity which can significantly improve individual fitness and which has the potential to have a major impact on public health. The present study was conducted to assess the CVD risk factor profile in children and adolescents who cycled to school compared with noncyclists.

Materials & Methods: It included 560 students who were divided into 2 groups. Group I comprised of cyclists and group II consisted of non- cyclists.

General information such as name, age, gender, class etc was recorded. Height & weight was measured. BMI was calculated as weight (kg) / height.² The sum of the thickness of 4 skin folds was measured. All blood samples were analyzed for blood lipids, glucose, and insulin at clinical pathology accredited laboratories.

Results: Out of 560 subjects, cyclists were 350 (boys- 140, girls- 210) and non- cyclists were 210 (boys-120, girls- 90). The difference was significant (P-0.01). BMI (Kg/m²) in cyclist was 18 while in non- cyclist was 18.2. Skin fold sum (mm) was 36.2 in cyclist and 35.7 in non- cyclist. Waist circumference (cm) was 57.2 in cyclist and 58.6 in non- cyclist. Physical activity (cpm) was 650 in cyclist and 648 in non- cyclist. Fitness (ml/m^-1/kg^-1) was significantly higher in cyclist (49.6) than non- cyclist (46.2). Systolic blood pressure was 110 mm/Hg in cyclist and 108.2 mm/Hg in non- cyclist. Diastolic blood pressure was 70.6 mm/Hg in cyclist and 70.4 mm/Hg in non- cyclist. The difference was non- significant (P> 0.05). Total cholesterol, HDL and triglyceride level was higher in group II as compared to group I.

Conclusion: Physical exercise in from of cycling is useful for general body health. CVD can be preventable by adopting physical exercise. Cholesterol and triglyceride level found to be lower in cyclist than non- cyclist.

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease, Cycling, Physical exercise.