Results:

A total of 11,418 men, ages 20-90 years, were included in this study. Higher cardiorespiratory fitness was inversely associated with total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, and non–high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Participants with lower cardiorespiratory fitness were more likely to have higher body mass indexes, diabetes, hypertension, current smoking, sedentary behaviors, and a parental history of cardiovascular disease. Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and non-HDL cholesterol were observed to each have an inverted U-shape quadratic trajectory with aging such that increases in these lipid parameters were noted till the ages of mid-40s to early 50s, followed by a decline with increased age. Among men with lower levels of cardiorespiratory fitness, the increase in total cholesterol, LDL >130 mg/dl, and non-HDL >160 mg/dl was observed earlier in life compared to men with high levels of cardiorespiratory fitness. Among men with poorer fitness levels, abnormal levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were noted approximately 15 years earlier than for men with high levels of fitness. A significant interaction between age and cardiorespiratory fitness was noted; indicating that cardiorespiratory fitness was more strongly associated with lipids in young to middle-aged men than for older men.