Output details

Diastolic function is strongly and independently associated with cardio-respiratory fitness in central obesity

Significance of output:

Cardiovascular diseases are responsible for more than 37% of deaths in the UK and part of the cause is modifiable risk factors such as inactivity and obesity. This multidisciplinary study shows for the first time that a strong independent association between fitness (VO2max) of obese individuals and diastolic function exists and this is not independently associated with quantity of visceral fat or habitual level of physical activity. Structured exercise prescription often forms the basis of fitness improving strategies and data presented here shows this is difficult to achieve in middle-aged obese individuals. Other methods of improving VO2max are urgently needed.