Waist circumference and BMI are independently associated with the variation of cardio-respiratory and neuromuscular fitness in young adult men.
OBJECTIVE
To test two hypotheses: (1) cardiorespiratory (CRF) and neuromuscular (NMF) fitness is associated with body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC), independent of each other and of leisure-time physical activity; (2) individuals with high CRF and NMF have lower WC for a given BMI, compared with those with low CRF and NMF.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Men participating in refresher training organized by the Finnish Defence Forces.


METHODS
A total of 951 men (mean age 29.1, s.d. 4.2 years; BMI 25.3 kg/m(2), s.d. 3.8; WC 91, s.d. 11 cm).


METHODS
Body mass index, WC, maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2)max), height of vertical jump, number of push-ups and sit-ups during a 1-min test, static back extension endurance, isometric grip strength, self-reported leisure-time vigorous physical activity. Multiple linear regressions were used to explain the variation in fitness.


RESULTS
Waist circumference had significant (P<0.001) negative association with all test results (standardized beta coefficients from -0.23 to -0.77), except for grip strength. Body mass index had significant negative association with VO(2)max (-0.12; P<0.05), but positive association (P<0.01) with grip strength (0.28), vertical jump (0.21) and push-ups (0.55). For a given BMI, the estimated WC was highest among those with the poorest results for VO(2)max, vertical jump, sit-ups and push-ups.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite stronger isometric grip strength, the functional muscle fitness of the upper body, trunk and lower extremities is impaired in individuals with abdominal obesity. Although the known loss of CRF is a serious consequence of obesity, the deterioration of NMF deserves increased attention.
Fogelholm
M
M
The UKK Institute for Health Promotion Research, Tampere, Finland. mikael.fogelholm@uta.fi
Malmberg
J
J
Suni
J
J
Santtila
M
M
Kyröläinen
H
H
Mäntysaari
M
M
D000328:Adult; D001824:Body Constitution; D050218:Body Fat Distribution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009765:Obesity / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D012111:Residence Characteristics