Effects of Body Mass Index on Maximal Work
Production Capacity and Aerobic Fitness During Incremental Exercise
O. OZCELIK, M. ASLAN, A. AYAR, H. KELESTIMUR
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Firat University, Elazig,
Turkey
Received February 17, 2003
Accepted May 15, 2003
Summary
The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between
cardiopulmonary fitness as indicated by maximal work rate (Wmax)
production and aerobic capacities (WAT), body mass index (BMI) and heart
rate reserve. A total of 60 sedentary subjects (30 males, 30 females, aged
18-25 years) were enrolled in the study. Each subject performed an
incremental exercise test (15 W/min) to the limit of tolerance on an
electromagnetically-braked cycle ergometer. There was a negative
correlation between increased BMI to Wmax capacity per kilogram body
weight in male (r=–0.846, P=0.0001) and in female (r=–0.896, P=0.0001)
subjects. In addition, WAT for each kilogram body weight also negatively
correlated with increased BMI in male (r=–0.870, P=0.0001) and in females
(r=–0.807, P=0.0001). The heart rate reserve correlated negatively with
increasing BMI: r=–0.699, P=0.0001 (males) and r=–0.655, P=0.0001
(females). The results of the present study have suggested that, due to
the inverse correlation between BMI, Wmax capacity, aerobic fitness and
heart rate reserve, it may be useful to consider BMI in establishing
cardiopulmonary fitness in various subjects..
Key words
Body mass index • Exercise test • Aerobic fitness
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