Maximum aerobic power output in overweight and obese individuals

• Published in: Revista medíca de Chile 2019-03, Vol.147 (3), p.289-295
• Main Authors: Cancino-López, Jorge, Olivares-Gálvez, Mariela, Maiz-Hohlberg, Cristóbal, Soto-Sánchez, Johana, Palacio-Agüero, Ana, Pino-Zúñiga, Johanna
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• ISSN: 0717-6163
• DOI: 10.4067/S0034-98872019000300289

The evaluation of physical fitness is important to determine workloads and to assess the effectiveness of exercise interventions in obese people. To determine the maximum aerobic power output (MAPO) in overweight and obese individuals and to establish reference parameters for the Chilean population. One hundred five men and 218 women performed a cycle ergometer test up to 85% of their maximum heart rate. MAPO was determined by linear extrapolation of the theoretical maximum heart rate. Among men, MAPO values were 234.9 ± 48.4 w for body mass index (BMI) values between 30 and 34.9 kg/m2, 235.1 ± 69.7 w for BMI between 35 and 39.9 kg/m2, 270.2 ± 86.5 w for BMI over 40 kg/m2. MAPO relative values were 2.27 ± 0.5, 2.16 ± 0.6 and 1.96 ± 0.8 w/kg, respectively. Among women, MAPO was 172.6 ± 36.1 w for a BMI < 30 kg/m2, 169.2 ± 39.4 w for BMI between 30 and 34.9 kg/m2, 179.5 ± 48.8 w f179.5 ± 48.8 w for BMI between 35 and 39.9 kg/m2 and 202.3 ± 57.3 w for BMI of 40 kg/m2 or over. The relative values were 2.33 ± 0.5; 2.02 ± 0.5; 1.91 ± 0.5 and 1.81 ± 0.5 w / kg (p < 0.05). MAPO estimation with a cycle ergometer test is well tolerated in overweight and obese individuals. MAPO decreased along with BMI increments in women. No association between BMI and MAPO in men was observed.