ABSTRACT
Background: Physical fitness is important in most high physically demanding jobs especially in the security services. It has to be ensured that the security guards are both physically fit for work, by matching their capabilities with the physical requirement for their job, and physically fit for life. Cardiorespiratory fitness has a strong relationship with physical activity. This study aims to explore the correlation that exists between physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness among the security guards. Method: A total of 50 healthy security guards aged 20-40 years (mean 31) participated in the study. Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) was used to assess the physical activity level among the security guards. Metabolic Equivalent (MET) was used to express the intensity of physical activity. The data collected related to the perception of guards on physical activity at work, transport, recreation and sedentary. Cardiorespiratory fitness was determined by a submaximal progressive protocol performed by the Chester step test. The Chester step test evaluated the aerobic capacity of the security guards. Results: Spearman correlation test revealed a significant strong positive correlation (r= 0.847, p<0.01) between physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness. Work domain and transport domain showed positive correlations with aerobic capacity (i.e. r= 0.811, p<0.01 and r= 0.383, p=0.006 respectively). On average, 3469.60 (2141.63) MET minutes per week were spent in physical activity. Average VO2 max was 60.6 (11.8) ml/kg/min. Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that physical activity is strongly associated with cardiorespiratory fitness in security guards.