The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between cardiopulmonary fitness as indicated by maximal work rate (Wmax) production and aerobic capacities (WAT), body mass index (BMI) and heart rate reserve. A total of 60 sedentary subjects (30 males, 30 females, aged 18-25 years) were enrolled in the study. Each subject performed an incremental exercise test (15 W/min) to the limit of tolerance on an electromagnetically-braked cycle ergometer. There was a negative correlation between increased BMI to Wmax capacity per kilogram body weight in male (r=–0.846, P=0.0001) and in female (r=–0.896, P=0.0001) subjects. In addition, WAT for each kilogram body weight also negatively correlated with increased BMI in male (r=–0.870, P=0.0001) and in females (r=–0.807, P=0.0001). The heart rate reserve correlated negatively with increasing BMI: r=–0.699, P=0.0001 (males) and r=–0.655, P=0.0001 (females). The results of the present study have suggested that, due to the inverse correlation between BMI, Wmax capacity, aerobic fitness and heart rate reserve, it may be useful to consider BMI in establishing cardiopulmonary fitness in various subjects.
We investigated the effects of different weight loss protocols on leptin levels in obese females with the aim of addressing the leptin resistance which has been found to be an aggravating factor in obesity. Twenty-four obese females enrolled to one of three 12-week weight loss protocols: orlistat-induced weight loss (OWL, n=8), exercise-induced weight loss (EWL, n=8) and orlistat plus exercise-induced weight loss (OEWL, n=8). Serum leptin levels were measured in duplicate by radioimmunoassay. There were significant reductions (P<0.01) in body weight and fat mass after the 12 week period in all groups: -11.4±0.5 kg and -9.8
±0.5 kg (OEWL), -8.3±0.8 kg and -5.7±0.9 kg (OWL), -8.9±1.2 kg and -7.4±1.2 kg (EWL), respectively. Serum leptin levels were also decreased markedly in all groups: -59.2 %(OEWL1), -37.8 % (OWL) and -48.6 % (EWL) (P<0.01 all). In addition, there were marked decreases in leptin levels for each kilogram of fat mass after the 12 week period: -48.2
±7.2 % (OEWL), -27.8±4.8 % (OWL) and -39.3±4.3% (EWL) (P<0.01 all). Decreases in serum leptin levels expressed per kilogram of fat mass were significantly higher in the OEWL group compared to the OWL group (P=0.03). Consequently, an exercise training program in adjunct to
pharmacotherapy provides higher weight reduction and fat mass loss in obesity treatment. It also seems to have further beneficial effects on leptin re
sistance, as indicated by decreases in leptin levels expressed per kilogram of fat mass.