In 21 nurses (34.4+/-3.9 yr), VO2max physical activity, body composition and lifestyle parameters were measured to determine which of these characteristics are related to metabolic and hemostatic risk for cardiovascular disease. Physical activity was assessed with the 7-day recall interview. VO2max was measured in a progressive and continuous treadmill test to volitional fatigue. Fasting insulin, total cholesterol, HDL-C, triglycerides, fibrinogen, tPA-act, tPA-ag, and PAI-1-ag were determined from fasting blood samples. Contrary to our expectation, there was no association of physical activity with any of these risk indicators. High VO2max was associated with lower levels of insulin and fibrinogen. Regression analyses indicated that metabolic and hemostatic risk indicators, as measured in healthy premenopausal nurses, were mainly predicted by waist circumference and oral contraceptive use.