The impact of body weight on aerobic capacity.

Aim: To determine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and predicted values of VO2max estimated by UKK test for the first degree of obesity.

Methods: The participants were included in three groups of ten male subjects each, of different ages and different physical condition, randomly selected from the general population of the city of Kragujevac. BMI was determined first, and then the Urho Kaleva Kekonen (UKK) test on treadmill was performed in order to get a predicted value of cardiovascular capacity (VO2max) of respondents. For continuous variables collected, the mean values and standard deviation were determined, and the correlation coefficient was calculated using the Student test.

Results: After a correlation analysis value obtained by UKK VO(2)max test and BMI the negative correlation coefficient (r = - 0.904; p less than 0.001) for the third group (ten males aged 35-40 years with mean BMI of 32.2 ± 1.31) was found, which also found an inverse dependence of these two values (with an increase of BMI values, the values of VO2max decreased). In the third group, the first fitness category dominated (Fitness index less than 70, which is significantly below the average value). The aim is to improve VO2max values, so the Fitness index value belonging to the Fitness category III dominated meaning that the Fitness index values were in the range 90-100 (mean).

Conclusion: A significant negative correlation between BMI and VO2max (ml/kg/min) suggesting the possibility of effect or body fat on cardiorespiratory function.