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A Study on Physical Fitness Index and Predicted Maximum Aerobic Capacity (VO2 Max) Among Young Male Individuals

Sindhu S .

Abstract


Introduction: There is increased prevalence of

obesity among adolescents due to sedentary life style, faulty

food habits and lack of physical activity. Overweight and

obesity are associated with hemodynamic changes at rest.

Whether these changes are reflected in exercise needs to

be ascertained. Physical Fitness Index (PFI) is one of the

important criteria to assess the cardiopulmonary efficiency of

a subject. This study was aimed to find out whether or not

obesity affects cardiovascular functional abilities in young

male individuals. Aim: The aim of the study is to assess and

compare the cardiovascular response to exercise in young

normal weight and over-weight subjects by comparing

Physical Fitness Index (PFI) score obtained by Astrand

Ryhming Step Test and predicted VO2 max value obtained

using Astrand Ryhming Nomogram method. Method: 60

male medical students in the age group of 18-20 years were

selected consisting of 30 over-weight subjects and 30

normal weight subjects as determined by their Body Mass

Index (BMI). For Astrand Ryhming Step Test, the subjects

were asked to step up and down on an 40 cm (16 inch) high

platform at a rate of 22 cycles per minute for 5 minutes.

Physical Fitness Index score calculated. Predicted VO2 max

calculated from Astrand Ryhming Nomogram. Observations

and Results: PFI score and predicted VO2 max value

between two groups were analyzed using student t test and

found to be statistically significant (p value <0.05). There is

significant negative correlation between BMI and PFI score

(r value = -0.417, p value <0.05), BMI and predicted VO2

max. (r value = -0.607, p value <0.05). Conclusion: This

study shows that young overweight individuals have a

poorer cardiovascular response to exercise as compared to

normal individuals. The results of this study emphasizes the

need for early identification of the risk factors leading to

excessive weight gain and initiation of preventive measures

in order to prevent the deterioration of cardiovascular

performance in susceptible young adults.

 


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