Cardiorespiratory Fitness between Physically Active and Inactive Obese Medical Students

Abstract

Background & objectives: Physical inactivity is a well-known factor for cardiometabolic risk among children and adolescents that can assessed by Cardiorespiratory Fitness (CRF).  However, there is paucity of research on CRF in obese medical students who face academic pressures and lifestyle challenges. Present study aimed to compare CRF between physically active and inactive obese medical students using the Six-Minute Walk test (6MWT).

Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study, enrolled 72 obese medical students (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²) categorised into physically active (46) and inactive (26) groups based on Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) score assessed by Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. All participants underwent 6MWT according to standardized guidelines of American Thoracic Society. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured at baseline and after 6MWT, and calculated VO_2max. Data were analysed using independent t-test and linear regression, with p < 0.05 statistically significant.

Results: Weekly physical activity levels measured by MET were markedly higher in the physically active obese group (p = 0.0001) with non-significantly higher estimated VO_2max compared to inactive obese following 6MWT. Blood Pressure and heart rate showed non-significant difference. Linear regression analysis showed a significant positive relationship between 6MWD and VO₂max, in active obese students 6MWD accounts for about 11% variability in VO₂ max (r = 0.3323, p = 0.024) and in inactive obese nearly 52% (r = 0.7183, p = 0.001).

Interpretation & conclusions: Cardiorespiratory fitness of obese adolescent was similar irrespective of their physical activity status suggests obesity may override the effect of physical activity in young age.