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Original research DOES AGE, SEX, AND BODY MASS INDEX (BMI) AFFECT THE MAXIMUM CAPACITY FOR OXYGEN CONSUMPTION (VO2MAX) IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS?Pages 37-44
Abstract
This study explored the connection between age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) and how they influence maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) among students at Gilgamesh University's College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences in Baghdad. The research involved 27 male and 14 female students aged 19 to 49, randomly selected. Physiological and anthropometric measurements such as height, weight, and BMI were taken using the World Health Organization's (2020) standards for assessing body mass, irrespective of gender differences. VO2max was estimated without fitness tests, based on resting heart rate (HRrest) and maximum heart rate (HRmax). Age-specific norms for peak oxygen consumption (VO2max) in men and women were determined using Cooper's VO2max criteria Heyward (1998). The findings revealed a significant negative correlation between weight gain percentage and VO2max decrease in both genders, with a more pronounced impact on males. The study also highlighted a high prevalence of obesity, poor cardiorespiratory fitness, and an inverse link between BMI and VO2max. Moreover, female students demonstrated higher VO2max compared to male students, possibly due to older and heavier male students in the Evening Study Session compared to both male and female students in the Morning Study Session.
Keywords: Anthropometry Properties, Body Mass Index, Exercise, Overweight, Obesity, Oxygen Consumption.
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Kamil Abidalhussain Aboshkair, 
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