Naila Parveen, Riaz Ahmed Shahid, Lubna Riaz, Shahwar, Ahmed Safiullah Shaikh.
Comparison of Mean VO2 max in normal Weight, Overweight and Obese Students of a Local Medical College Using Analysis of Variance.
Pak J Med Res Jan ;58(1):22-5.

Background: VO2 max is considered as a marker for evaluation of cardiovascular fitness and is measured by exercise tests such as treadmill or cycle ergometer. Body mass index has a major influence on the maximal oxygen capacity of an individual as estimated by VO2 max. Objective: To compare the mean VO2 max in normal weight, overweight and obese students selected from a local medical college. Study design, settings and duration: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Physiology of a local medical college in the suburbs of Karachi from 25th November 2016 to 31st July 2017. Subjects and Methods: A total of one hundred and two, both male and female medical students were selected. Body mass index was calculated after measuring the height and weight of each individual. Bruce Protocol treadmill test was used to measure the VO2 max. Descriptive statistics applied for continuous variables depicted mean age as 20±1.23 years. According to the BMI classification for Asian population, study subjects were divided into three groups. Results: Mean BMI for normal, overweight and obese individuals was reported as 21.05±1.01 kg/m2 and 24.10±1.06 kg/m2 and 28.43±0.06 respectively. Mean VO2 max for individuals with normal weight was found to be 55.29±9.27ml/kg/min. In overweight and obese students, mean VO2 max was reported as 49.35± 5.24ml/kg/min and 46.24±6.34ml/kg/min respectively. Comparison of means for VO2 max and body mass index was found to be significantly lower (p <0.05) among all the three groups. Gender differences of VO2 max showed remarkable difference with increased maximal oxygen consumption reported in males compared to females. Conclusion: In conclusion, VO2 max was significantly lower in normal weight, overweight and obese students. Therefore, improvement in aerobic fitness can be attained by reduction in body mass index.

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