Body fat content correlates with maximum aerobic capacity in healthy sedentary Indian males

Obesity is a multifactorial public health problem with varying effects on physical fitness determined by maximum aerobic capacity or VO₂max. The relationship between body fat content and VO₂max has shown varying results. The present study was planned as an experimental study to evaluate the relationship between body fat content and maximum aerobic capacity.

104 healthy Indian males [Age: 21 (4.87)years; Height: 171.4 (6.14)cm; Weight: 64.1 (8.57)kg] were evaluated for body fat content using body mass index (BMI), bioimpedance, skinfold thickness (SFT), body girth (BG) measurements, waist circumference (WC), and waist-hip ratio (WHR). Maximum aerobic capacity or VO₂max for all subjects was determined indirectly from maximum heart rate achieved using an incremental treadmill protocol using Astrand and Astrand nomogram.

VO₂max, when expressed in L/min, showed a statistically significant positive correlation with body fat irrespective of the method of estimation. VO₂max, when expressed in ml/kg/min, showed negative correlation with five of the seven clinical parameters of fat estimation. Of these, a statistically significant negative correlation was seen with SFT.

VO₂max (L/min) shows a significant positive correlation with all methods of body fat estimation. VO₂max (ml/kg/min) shows a significant negative correlation with skinfold thickness. Monitoring of body fat content using skinfold thickness could be studied further for its use in the early identification of young, healthy adult Indian males with low aerobic fitness.