VO₂max is associated with measures of energy expenditure in sedentary condition but does not predict weight change

Energy expenditure measured under sedentary conditions predicts weight change but evidence that directly measured VO₂max is associated with weight change is lacking. The aim of this study was to determine the associations of VO₂max with measures of predominantly sedentary 24-h thermogenesis, and subsequent weight change.

Three hundred fifty-seven individuals (162 females; 27 Blacks, 72 Caucasians, and 258 American Indians) had measures of body composition, resting metabolic rate (RMR), and intermittent treadmill run test for assessment of VO₂max. On a separate day, 24-h energy expenditure (EE), diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT) expressed as "awake and fed" thermogenesis (AFT), sleeping metabolic rate (SMR), and spontaneous physical activity (SPA) were measured in a whole-room indirect calorimeter. Follow-up weight for 217 individuals was available (median follow-up time, 9.5 y; mean weight change, 12.4 ± 14.9 kg).

After adjustment for fat free mass, fat mass, age, sex, and race, a higher VO₂max was associated with a higher RMR (β = 68.2 kcal/day per L/min, P < 0.01) and 24-h EE (β = 62.2 kcal/day per L/min, P < 0.05) and including additional adjustment for energy intake higher AFT (β = 66.1 kcal/day per L/min, P = 0.01). Neither SMR (P > 0.2) nor SPA (P > 0.8) were associated with VO₂max. VO₂max at baseline did not predict follow-up weight after adjustment for baseline weight, follow-up time, sex, and race (P > 0.4).

VO₂max is associated with measures of EE including 24-h EE, RMR and DIT implying a common mechanism regulating the energetics of skeletal muscle during exercise and thermogenesis. However, this did not translate to VO₂max as a predictor of weight change.