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Ventilatory efficiency and rate of perceived exertion in obese and non-obese children performing standardized

B Marinov1, S Kostianev, T Turnovska

  • 1Pathophysiology Department, University of Medicine, 15A Vassil Aprilov Blvd., 4002 Plovdic, Bulgaria.

Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging
|October 31, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Obese children experience higher exercise costs and fatigue perception despite similar ventilatory efficiency. This limits their physical capacity, highlighting the impact of obesity on exercise performance in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Exercise Physiology
  • Obesity Research
  • Cardiorespiratory Fitness

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern.
  • Understanding the physiological responses to exercise in obese children is crucial for developing effective interventions.
  • Previous studies have shown mixed results regarding exercise capacity in pediatric obesity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the exercise capacity and ventilatory efficiency between obese and non-obese children.
  • To investigate the relationship between perceived exertion and physiological responses during exercise in these groups.
  • To identify optimal methods for normalizing oxygen uptake (VO2peak) for body size in obese children.

Main Methods:

  • Sixty children (6-17 years) were divided into obese (n=30) and control (n=30) groups, matched for age, sex, and height.
  • An incremental treadmill exercise test was performed, with perceived exertion assessed using the Borg scale.
  • Cardiorespiratory and ventilatory variables, including oxygen uptake (VO2peak), were measured. VO2peak was normalized using body mass and body surface area (BSA).

Main Results:

  • Obese children had shorter exercise durations but higher absolute oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and ventilatory variables compared to controls.
  • When adjusted for body mass, VO2peak was lower in obese children. Normalization by BSA provided comparable results between groups.
  • Ventilatory efficiency (VE/VCO2 slope) did not differ between groups, but obese children reported significantly higher perceived exertion.

Conclusions:

  • The absolute metabolic cost of exercise is higher in obese children.
  • Despite similar ventilatory efficiency, obese children experience greater perceived exertion and fatigue, limiting their physical capacity.
  • Normalization of VO2peak by body surface area (BSA) is recommended for comparing exercise capacity in obese and non-obese children.

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