Physical Fitness in Late Adolescence Linked to Future Cardiovascular Outcomes

Exercise capacity and muscle strength in adulthood predict later cardiovascular outcomes; however, whether exercise capacity and muscle strength in late adolescence are predictive of cardiovascular risk in mid-life is unknown. To assess effects on vascular diseases and arrhythmias, investigators performed a prospective follow-up study of 1.1 million men examined at mandatory military conscription in Sweden between 1972 and 1995 (median baseline age, 18; median follow-up, 26 years). An ergometer bicycle test and handgrip strength were used to estimate maximum exercise capacity and muscle strength, respectively.

During follow-up, 26,088 vascular disease events and 17,312 arrhythmia events occurred. Exercise capacity was inversely associated wi…