Aerobic work capacity in chronically undernourished adult males.
Maximal O2 consumption (VO2max) and maximal endurance time at 80% Vo2max (T80) were determined in 49 subjects with varying degrees of nutritional compromise. Vo2max was lover by 21% and 52% in subjects with moderate and severe undernutrition, respectively, when compared to men with mild nutritional compromise. Most (80%) of the change in Vo2max could be related to the estimated differences in muscle cell mass (MCM). A significant reduction (-18%) in the Vo2max per unit of MCM was found in the severely undernourished subjects, indicating basic physiological changes. Total body hemoglobin showed the highest correlation with Vo2max (r = 0.709) and at constant MCM (partial r = 0.796). A multiple regression equation was derived to estimate the Vo2max of populations on the basis of simple anthropometry and blood hemoglobin levels. T80 (93-103 min) and estimated maximum sustained 8-h percent effort (32%) in mild, intermediate, or severe undernutrition were not significantly different; by contrast, endurance at a given absolute work load was markedly lower in severe undernutrition (8 vs. 1.5 h) due presumably to the difference in Vo2max.
D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000383:Agriculture; D000886:Anthropometry; D001823:Body Composition; D003105:Colombia; D003677:Deficiency Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010807:Physical Endurance; D005082:Physical Exertion