Abstract

Background: Maximal oxygen consumption (VO max) is considered the gold standard of cardio-pulmonary and muscle 2 cell fitness. Reduced cardiopulmonary fitness is associated with increased cardiovascular disease. Low cardio respiratory fitness in young adults has emerged as an important factor for developing cardiovascular comorbidies later in middle age. Obesity is a serious & widespread problem globally. Increased body fat as predicted by body mass index is an additional factor for developing cardiovascular diseases. Aims &
Objective: The current study was designed to evaluate cardio respiratory fitness in terms of VO2max in young healthy males and to correlate between obesity and cardio respiratory fitness. Material and Methods: Sixty young healthy male subjects in the age group of 18 to 22 years were included in this study group. Body mass index was measured as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters square. Cardio respiratory fitness in terms of VO max was predicted by following the protocol of Treadmill Jogging Test (TMJ). 2
Results: There was a highly significant negative correlation between obesity and VO max, r= -0.88 p<0.05. In contrast, 2 obesity shows a highly significant direct correlation with Treadmill Heart Rate, r=0.80 p<0.05. Conclusion: The result suggests that the reduced cardiac performance during progressive work rate exercise in obese individuals. Greater the BMI, more severe will be the functional impairment, suggesting excessive amount of body fat on cardio respiratory functions and oxygen uptake by working muscles.