Objectives: To study the association between physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) and cardio-respiratory fitness
(CRF) with key metabolic traits and anthropometric measures in the Tarahumara of Mexico.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in five rural communities in Chihuahua, Me´xico including 64 adult
Tarahumara, mean (SD) age 40.7 (12.9) years. Using a combined accelerometer and heart rate sensor, PAEE was measured
over three consecutive days and nights and a sub-maximal step test was carried out in order to (1) calibrate heart
rate at the individual level and (2) to estimate CRF. Random blood glucose level and resting blood pressure (BP) were
measured with standard anthropometrics.
Results: Mean (SD) PAEE was 71.2 (30.3) kJ kg21 day21 and CRF was 36.6 (6.5) mlO2 min21 kg21. Mean (SD) glucose
was 127.9 (32.4) mg/dl, with 3.3% having diabetes. Mean (SD) systolic and diastolic BP was 122 (20.8) and 82 (14.8)
mm Hg, respectively, with 28.1% having hypertension. Mean body mass index was 27.5 (4.2) kg m22, with 71.9% being
overweight. Following adjustment for age and sex, weak inverse associations were observed between PAEE and systolic
BP (b 5 20.20, P 5 0.27) and diastolic BP (b 5 20.16, P 5 0.23); and between CRF and systolic BP (b 5 20.51, P 5
0.14) and diastolic BP (b 5 20.53, P 5 0.06). The inverse associations with glucose were also weak and not statistically
significant for neither PAEE (b520.01, P 5 0.63) nor CRF (b520.05, P 5 0.27).
Conclusions: This study suggests high levels of overweight and hypertension in the Tarahumara, and points to fitness
and physical activity as potential intervention targets although findings should be confirmed in larger samples.