RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Regular physical activity has a positive impact on health. This study aims to compare health-related physical fitness in adults engaged in organized physical exercise with these in adults engaged in nonorganized physical exercise and to establish a relationship between this physical fitness and physical activity level. METHODS: We collected data on physical activity level and health-related physical fitness parameters. Independent samples T-test was used to compare the means of the two groups and Pearson correlation coefficient calculator was used to analyze the relationship between physical fitness parameters and physical activity level. RESULTS: Significant differences (p < 0.05) in physical activity level, flexibility, aerobic endurance ([Formula: see text]) and HR rest were recorded for the organized exercise group. The level of physical activity was positively correlated (P < 0.05) to [Formula: see text] and grip strength but it was negatively correlated with HR rest and LDL cholesterol. The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors was minimal except for HDL cholesterol. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that nonorganized physical exercise is as effective as organized physical exercise in maintaining proper health-related physiological and lipid profiles in Burundian adult. However, organized physical activity provides additional health benefits on [Formula: see text], HR rest, anteroposterior flexibility and vertical jump.