Background: Cardiovascular disorders have become the leading cause of death worldwide. In the past few decades, prevalence of cardiovascular disorder has increased substantially in younger population .Increased body fatness is an additional factor for developing cardiovascular diseases. One of the parameter for detecting fatness is body mass index. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) has been regarded by majority of authors as the best indicator of aerobic capacity of an organism, and also internationally accepted parameter to evaluate cardio-respiratory fitness.
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the cardio-respiratory fitness in terms of VO2max in young healthy males and to study the relation between body mass index and cardio-respiratory fitness. Methodology: 30 young healthy male subjects in the age group of 18 to 25 years were included in this study group. Body mass index was measured as weight (in kilograms) divided by square of height (in meters). Cardio-respiratory fitness in terms of VO2max was assessed by following the protocol of Queen’s College Step Test (QCT).
RESULTS: The mean values for body mass index ,mean predicted VO2max were 18.53 1.29 kg/m2 was 37.01 3.94 ml/kg/min respectively. There was a significant negative correlation between body mass index (BMI) and VO2max.r=(-.02)
Conclusion: The results suggest that cardio-respiratory functions are affected by body fat. Excessive amount of body fat exerts an unfavourable burden on cardiac function and oxygen uptake by working muscles. Low cardio-respiratory fitness in young adults with increased body fat could be a factor for developing cardiovascular comorbidities later in middle age.
