Body Composition and Morphological Characteristics Influence the Cardio-respiratory Fitness

摘要

Maximum oxygen uptake or VO_2max is an accepted parameter to evaluate an individual's cardiorespiratory fitness. In this cross-sectional study we examined the relationship of VO_2max with different components of body composition and morphological parameters of 144 eastern Indian male college students of 20-24 years of age. Prediction of VO_2max values by Queen's College Step Test and body composition by skinfold measurements revealed negative correlation between VO_2max and % body fat (r=-0.52, p<0.001), whereas positive correlation was noted between VO_2max and % lean body mass (r=0.60, p < 0.001). Total lean body mass (LBM) had also positive correlation with VO_2max (r=0.71, p<0.001) and the same relationship was noted in case of total body fat and VO_2max (r=0.36, p<0.001) and body density with VO_2max(r=0.52, p<0.001). VO_2max had positive correlation with body height (r=0.64, p<0.001), body weight (r=0.80, p<0.001) and body surface area (r=0.70, p<0.001), whereas it was negatively correlated with body mass index or BMI (r=-0.31, p<0.001). The study revealed that BMI had positive correlation with % fat (r=0.60, p<0.001) and negative correlation with %LBM (r=-0.52, p<0.001). However Reciprocal Ponderal Index (RPI) which indicates the linearity of an individual's stature was significantly correlated with VO_2max (r=0.25, p<0.001). The statistical analysis of the results, revealed that different components of body composition and morphological characteristics had significant relationship with the cardiorespiratory fitness or maximum aerobic capacity (VO_2max) in the studied population.