Cardiac Response to Exercise in Obese, Overweight and Normal Subjects – An Observational Study

Abstract

Background: Obesity is characterized by an abnormally large adipose tissue mass which imposes additional stress to cardio-respiratory system during exercise. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the cardiac response to exercise in normal weight, overweight and obese young adults. Methods: The present work was conducted on total 210 young adults of MMU, Mullana, Ambala, (Haryana) of which 70 forming the normal weight group, 70 forming overweight group and 70 forming obese group in MMU, Mullana, Ambala (Haryana), for assessing the cardiac parameters in response to exercise. Results: The mean PR was increased with increasing BMI but it was not significant (p>0.05). In response to exercise PR was increased very highly significantly (p<0.001) in all the three groups. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference in mean PR found between boys and girls. The mean values of blood pressure i.e. SBP, DBP, MAP and PP were increased with increasing BMI but the increase was not significant (p>0.05) and in response to exercise blood pressure was very highly significantly (p<0.001) increased in all the groups. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference found in blood pressure between boys and girls in all the three groups. Conclusion: The HR and BP was more in overweight and obese subjects as compared to normal weight. In response to exercise, cardiac parameters were increased in all the three groups.