Association of Cardio respiratory Fitness, Body Composition and Blood Pressure in Collegiate Population of Amritsar, Punjab, India

Abstract

Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) is single best measure of cardiorespiratory capacity and is considered as a benchmark to quantify cardiovascular functional capacity and aerobic fitness. The present study deals with the association of cardio respiratory fitness, body composition and blood pressure in collegiate population (n =180) of Amritsar, Punjab, India, aged 19 – 26 years. Height and weight were determined by anthropometric methods, blood pressure was measured with subjects lying supine after at least 5 min rest, VO2 max was measured by Queen's College Step test; fat mass and fat free mass were estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis method. The results indicated that there was a close association of VO2 max with fat mass and systolic blood pressure in boys, and only with systolic blood pressure in girls.