Body Fat Percentage Measured by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry is Associated with Maximal Oxygen Uptake in Japanese

Objective: Both aerobic exercise level and body composition are associated with aging. In addition, lower aerobic exercise level and excess of body fat are risk for atherosclerosis. Therefore, the link between maximal oxygen uptake and anthropometric, body composition parameters was investigated.Subjects and Methods: We used data for 300 Japanese (150 men: 44.2±14.1 years, 150 women: 44.4±14.1 years) in a cross sectional analysis. Maximal oxygen uptake was measured by breath-by-breath method and body composition was evaluated by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).Results: Maximal oxygen uptake was significantly decreased with age over the age of 40. Body fat percentage measured by DEXA was significantly correlated with maximal oxygen uptake (men: r=−0.622, women: r=−0.604). In addition, the significant relationships between body fat percentage and clinical parameters i.e. triglyceride, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, blood sugar, insulin and homeostasis model assessment (the HOMA index) were also noted.Conclusion: Lower maximal oxygen uptake may be characteristic in subjects with higher body fat percentage and aerobic exercise should be recommended for preventing lifestyle-related disease.