Maximum oxygen uptake and body composition of healthy Hong Kong Chinese adult men and women aged 20 – 64 years

Abstract

The aims of the present study were to assess the maximal oxygen uptake and body composition of adult Chinese men and women, and to determine how these variables relate to age. The cross-sectional sample consisted of 196 men and 221 women aged 20 – 64 years. Maximal oxygen uptake ([Vdot]O_2max) was determined by indirect calorimetry during a maximal exercise test on an electrically braked cycle ergometer. The correlations between [Vdot]O_2max and fat mass were −0.52 in men and −0.58 in women. Linear regression defined the cross-sectional age-related decline in [Vdot]O_2max as 0.35 ml · kg⁻¹ · min⁻¹ · year⁻¹ in men and 0.30 ml · kg⁻¹ · min⁻¹ · year⁻¹ in women. Multiple regression analysis showed that more than 50% of this cross-sectional decline in [Vdot]O_2max was due to fat mass, lean mass, and age. Adding fat mass and lean mass to the multiple regression models reduced the age regression mass from 0.35 to 0.24 ml · kg⁻¹ · min⁻¹ · year⁻¹ in men and from 0.30 to 0.15 ml · kg⁻¹ · min⁻¹ · year⁻¹ in women. We conclude that age, fat mass, and lean mass are independent determinants of maximal oxygen uptake in Chinese adults.

Keywords:

• Maximal oxygen uptake
• Chinese
• body composition
• exercise epidemiology

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank Stanley Hui Sai Chuen of the Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, Chinese University of Hong Kong for his advice in setting up the [Vdot]O_2max test during the initial phase of the study.