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Published on: August 17, 2022
Cardiac function and arteriovenous oxygen difference during exercise in obese adults
Chantal A Vella1, Diana Ontiveros, Raul Y Zubia
1Department of Kinesiology, University of Texas at El Paso, 1101N Campbell, El Paso, TX 79902, USA. cvella@utep.edu
Obese individuals exhibit altered cardiac function, with higher resting and exercise cardiac output and stroke volume. Their ability to extract oxygen during exercise may be impaired compared to normal-weight individuals.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Exercise Physiology
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Obesity is associated with cardiovascular changes.
- Understanding cardiac function in obese individuals during exercise is crucial for health management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess cardiac function and arteriovenous oxygen difference (a-vO(2) difference) at rest and during exercise.
- To compare these parameters between young, normal-weight, and obese men and women matched for age and fitness.
Main Methods:
- Participants: 20 normal-weight and 12 obese men and women.
- Assessments: Body composition, peak oxygen consumption (VO(2peak)), and cardiac variables (cardiac index, cardiac output, stroke volume, heart rate, ejection fraction) using thoracic bioimpedance.
- Measurements taken at rest and during cycling exercise at 65% of VO(2peak).
Main Results:
- Absolute and relative VO(2peak) were similar between groups.
- Obese group had higher resting cardiac output and stroke volume, and lower ejection fraction.
- During exercise, obese group showed higher cardiac index, cardiac output, and stroke volume, but a lower a-vO(2) difference.
Conclusions:
- Obese individuals demonstrate distinct cardiac responses at rest and during exercise.
- Impaired oxygen extraction during exercise may be a characteristic of obesity.
- Further research is needed to understand the long-term implications of these findings.
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