Association between maximal oxygen consumption and physical activity and sedentary lifestyle in metabolic syndrome. Usefulness of questionnaires

Abstract

Introduction and objectives: To analyze whether variations in physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviors are accompanied by differences in maximal oxygen consumption (VO_2max).

Methods: We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study of 243 participants (82 women), aged 65.0±4.9 years old, with metabolic syndrome and overweight/obesity who performed a maximal exercise test with expired gas analysis. PA was evaluated using subjective methods, the REGICOR and RAPA 1 self-reported questionnaires, and objective methods, the chair test and accelerometry. Sedentariness was analyzed with the Nurses' Health Study questionnaire and accelerometry.

Results: VO_2max was higher in participants who reported they adhered to the recommendations of the PA guidelines in the REGICOR questionnaire (21.3±4.6 vs 18.0±4.4 mL/kg/min; P <.001) and was 18% higher in those who reported more PA in the RAPA 1 questionnaire than the less active group (P <.001). The chair test (> 15 vs ≤ 15 repetitions) also showed significant differences in VO_2max (21.2±4.8 vs 18.7±4.5 ml/kg/min; P <.001). Correlations between PA variables and VO_2max were significant but low (r: 0.2 to 0.4). Sedentary activities showed less relationship with VO_2max.

Conclusions: Participants with metabolic syndrome and overweight/obesity who reported adhering to PA recommendations achieved higher VO_2max. The self-reported questionnaires and the chair test identified significant variations in VO_2max. Sedentary activities do not appear to modify VO_2max.

Keywords: Actividad física; Clinical practice guidelines; Consumo máximo de oxígeno; Forma física; Guías de práctica clínica; Maximum oxygen consumption; Metabolic syndrome; Physical activity; Physical fitness; Síndrome metabólico.