Korean J Obes.  2014 Jun;23(2):116-124.

The Properties of Maximal Oxygen Consumption in Middle-Aged Obese Men: The Relationships between Blood Variables and Physical Fitness and Regional Fat Compartments

• Kim MK

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max) levels may predict mortality in men, little is known about the relationship between VO2max and regional fat compartments, as in abdominal fat or both upper- and lower extremity fat in obese men. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between VO2max, blood parameters, physical fitness, and body fat distribution in middle-aged men.
METHODS
A total of 56 men were involved in this study. On the first visit, blood lipids, blood pressure, and physical fitness were measured after overnight fasting. On the second visit, abdominal fat areas and regional fat compartments were measured by computed tomography (CT) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), respectively. On the third visit, subjects underwent a maximal graded exercise test on a cycling ergometer for VO2max measurement.
RESULTS
As a result of this study, a significant negative correlation was found between VO2max and BMI, blood parameters (TC, TG, FFA, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, and HbA1c), and regional fat compartments, except for visceral fat (P<0.05). The partial correlation analysis showed that VO2max was significantly (P<0.05) associated with blood lipids (TC, TG, and FFA) and physical fitness after adjusting for BMI. Multiple regression analysis showed that leg fat percentage was a predictor of VO2max (beta=-0.462, P=0.034).
CONCLUSION
This study indicates that higher VO2max shows reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides, and free fatty acids. Accumulation of fat in lower extremities correlated with a poor cardiorespiratory fitness in this population.

Keyword

VO2max; Physical fitness; Lipid profiles; Abdominal fat; Regional fat distribution

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Fat
Absorptiometry, Photon
Blood Pressure
Body Fat Distribution
Cholesterol
Exercise Test
Fasting
Fatty Acids, Nonesterified
Glucose
Humans
Insulin
Intra-Abdominal Fat
Leg
Lower Extremity
Male
Mortality
Oxygen Consumption*
Physical Fitness*
Triglycerides
Cholesterol
Fatty Acids, Nonesterified
Glucose
Insulin
Triglycerides