Relative handgrip strength, nutritional status and abdominal obesity in Chilean adolescents.

Handgrip strength (HGS) is a well-established indicator of muscle strength and can help to identify risk of sarcopenic obesity in children. This study explores the relationship between adiposity and muscular strength in healthy Chilean adolescents. Adolescents (n = 491) aged 10-17 were selected from five schools in Santiago, Chile. HGS was determined by dynamometry. Anthropometry (weight, height, waist and mid arm circumference), physical activity and socioeconomic status were also measured. Relative HGS (RHGS) was calculated by dividing maximum HGS of the dominant hand by body-mass index (BMI) and low RHGS was categorized as <25th percentile by sex. Logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between two markers of adiposity (abdominal obesity category by waist circumference and nutritional status measured by BMI category) and low RHGS, adjusting for possible confounding variables. Participants were on average 13.6y (2.4), 32.8% were overweight or obese and 37.5% were at risk of or had abdominal obesity. RHGS was 1.25 kg/kg/m2 overall, with a significant difference by sex (1.51 for boys versus 1.14 for girls). In adjusted analyses, boys and girls with risk of abdominal obesity, had 3.3 (1.6-6.6) and 4.1 (1.8-9.3) increased odds of low RHGS, respectively, compared to boys and girls with normal waist circumference. Those with abdominal obesity compared to normal WC, had 8.5 (3.4-21.4) and 6.5 (2.0-21.3) increased odds of low RHGS for boys and girls, respectively. We observed similar associations for BMI category. In our sample of healthy adolescents, higher adiposity related to greater odds of low muscle strength measured by dynamometry. Considering the demographic shift from a young to an aging population in many countries, along with the increasing prevalence of obesity beginning in childhood, understanding how adiposity relates to low muscle strength is of growing importance.

[Maximum aerobic power output in overweight and obese individuals]. / Potencia aeróbica máxima en el obeso: Valores de referencia.

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of physical fitness is important to determine workloads and to assess the effectiveness of exercise interventions in obese people. AIM: To determine the maximum aerobic power output (MAPO) in overweight and obese individuals and to establish reference parameters for the Chilean population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred five men and 218 women performed a cycle ergometer test up to 85% of their maximum heart rate. MAPO was determined by linear extrapolation of the theoretical maximum heart rate. RESULTS: Among men, MAPO values were 234.9 ± 48.4 w for body mass index (BMI) values between 30 and 34.9 kg/m2, 235.1 ± 69.7 w for BMI between 35 and 39.9 kg/m2, 270.2 ± 86.5 w for BMI over 40 kg/m2. MAPO relative values were 2.27 ± 0.5, 2.16 ± 0.6 and 1.96 ± 0.8 w/kg, respectively. Among women, MAPO was 172.6 ± 36.1 w for a BMI < 30 kg/m2, 169.2 ± 39.4 w for BMI between 30 and 34.9 kg/m2, 179.5 ± 48.8 w f179.5 ± 48.8 w for BMI between 35 and 39.9 kg/m2 and 202.3 ± 57.3 w for BMI of 40 kg/m2 or over. The relative values were 2.33 ± 0.5; 2.02 ± 0.5; 1.91 ± 0.5 and 1.81 ± 0.5 w / kg (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: MAPO estimation with a cycle ergometer test is well tolerated in overweight and obese individuals. MAPO decreased along with BMI increments in women. No association between BMI and MAPO in men was observed.

Potencia aeróbica máxima en el obeso: Valores de referencia / Maximum aerobic power output in overweight and obese individuals

Background: The evaluation of physical fitness is important to determine workloads and to assess the effectiveness of exercise interventions in obese people. Aim: To determine the maximum aerobic power output (MAPO) in overweight and obese individuals and to establish reference parameters for the Chilean population. Material and Methods: One hundred five men and 218 women performed a cycle ergometer test up to 85% of their maximum heart rate. MAPO was determined by linear extrapolation of the theoretical maximum heart rate. Results: Among men, MAPO values were 234.9 ± 48.4 w for body mass index (BMI) values between 30 and 34.9 kg/m2, 235.1 ± 69.7 w for BMI between 35 and 39.9 kg/m2, 270.2 ± 86.5 w for BMI over 40 kg/m2. MAPO relative values were 2.27 ± 0.5, 2.16 ± 0.6 and 1.96 ± 0.8 w/kg, respectively. Among women, MAPO was 172.6 ± 36.1 w for a BMI < 30 kg/m2, 169.2 ± 39.4 w for BMI between 30 and 34.9 kg/m2, 179.5 ± 48.8 w f179.5 ± 48.8 w for BMI between 35 and 39.9 kg/m2 and 202.3 ± 57.3 w for BMI of 40 kg/m2 or over. The relative values were 2.33 ± 0.5; 2.02 ± 0.5; 1.91 ± 0.5 and 1.81 ± 0.5 w / kg (p < 0.05). Conclusions: MAPO estimation with a cycle ergometer test is well tolerated in overweight and obese individuals. MAPO decreased along with BMI increments in women. No association between BMI and MAPO in men was observed.