A non-invasive monitoring of cardiorespiratory fitness and its relationship with abdominal obesity indices in men

Inactivity and physical inactivity can be one of the main causes of obesity, especially abdominal obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease. Abdominal obesity is a serious risk factor for cardiovascular disease which being inversely related to VO2 max (maximal oxygen consumption). This study was done to determine the non-invasive monitoring of cardiorespiratory fitness and its association with abdominal obesity in men.

In this descriptive-analytical study, men aged 20-60 years were selected by cluster sampling from different areas of the centers of the three provinces including Qazvin, East Azarbajan and Hamedan in Iran. In accordance with Morgan method, the sample size was 384 men from all provinces which were divided into four age groups. Aerobic power of subjects was assessed by utilizing Bruce, Rockport, Pedometer and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), Body adiposity index (BAI), Surface-Based Body Shape Index (SBSI) and body mass index (BMI) was measured for each subject.

Based on the results, in all three provinces as well as the provinces themselves, VO2 max was significantly different between different age groups (P<0.05). Also, in abdominal obesity indices, a significant difference was in abdominal obesity indices BMI, WHR, WHtR and BAI (P<0.05). There was a significant inverse correlation of the VO2 max with central obesity indices, except for the SBSI.

Reducing physical activity and consequent cardiorespiratory fitness led to an increase in abdominal obesity indices in different age groups that shows a significant inverse correlation of the VO2 max with central obesity indices, except for the SBSI.