Table 1 Characteristics at baseline among females and males participating in the study

Age (years)

42.6

12.5

.

.

41.8

12

.

.

Height (cm)

167.8

5.8

.

.

180.8

6.7

.

.

Weight (kg)

68.6

8.8

.

.

86

13.5

.

.

Body mass index (kg/m²)

24.4*

3.1

.

.

26.3

4

.

.

HbA1c (mmol/L)

5.2

0.3

.

.

5.3

0.4

.

.

Total cholesterol (mmol/L)

5.4

1.1

.

.

5.1

1.1

.

.

LDL (mmol/L)

3.2

0.9

.

.

3.2

0.9

.

.

HDL (mmol/L)

1.9*

0.4

.

.

1.4

0.3

.

.

CRP (mg/L)

1.9

1.8

.

.

1.9

2

.

.

Systolic blood pressure (mmHg)

115.5*

15.7

.

.

123.3

12.3

.

.

Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg)

74.2*

7.6

.

.

78.9

8.6

.

.

RHR (bpm)

67.4*

10.8

.

.

63.4

9.4

.

.

VO2max (mL ∙ kg^-1∙ min^-1)

33.5*

8.6

.

.

39.3

7

.

.

Leisure time physical activity (n ≤1 days/week)

.

.

16

37.2

.

.

29

37.2

Leisure time physical activity (n = 2–3 days/week)

.

.

21

48.8

.

.

36

46.2

Leisure time physical activity (n ≥ 4 days/week)

.

.

6

14

.

.

13

16.7

Smokers

.

.

0*

0

.

.

12

15.4

University/College

.

.

37*

86

.

.

41

52.6