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Back ground: The arterial pressure response to exercise is exaggerated in obese subjects compared with lean adults. Blood pressure response to exercise is an important predictor of incident hypertension and future cardiovascular events.
Aim: Aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of submaximal exercise test on blood pressure and oxygen saturation in young obese adults.
Method: This cross sectional study was conducted among 60 apparently healthy volunteers (obese-30, normal -30) in the age group of 18-35 years in Chennai. After measuring anthropometric parameters, base line cardiovascular parameters (Heart rate, Systolic blood pressure and Diastolic Blood Pressure) and oxygen saturation (SatO2) of the subjects were recorded. Then subjects were asked to perform Six Minutes Walk Test (6MWT) according to the guidelines given by American Thoracic Society. Post test cardiovascular parameters and SatO2 were recorded. The post exercise dyspnoea score and fatigue levels were calculated using Borg’s scale. The analysis was done using independent‘t’ test. P value < 0.05 was taken as significant. Results: Obese subjects showed a significant increase in SBP and DBP after exercise. There was significance in reduction (< 0.05) in oxygen saturation after 6 MWT. Conclusion: The increased in blood pressure response to sub-maximal exercise test in obese individuals may predict future incidence of hypertension and cardiovascular risk. Decrease in oxygen saturation, implies that the obese subjects have poor exercise tolerance compared to normal subjects.
Key words: Obesity, Submaximal exercise, Blood pressure